Women’s Wrestling News (2021) – # 16 {College}
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Have been delinquent in posting news about Women’s college teams so more stories than usual are included. In spite of the limitations imposed by the CoVid Pandemic crisis opportunities for women to wrestle competitively have grown with more schools adding or announcing they will add a wrestling team for women. The will also be more girls wrestling on sanctioned teams and tournaments on the scholastic levels which will provide more incoming experienced girls to continue on to wrestle on the collegiate level. Keep on wrestling! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2934 (6/21/21)
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1 } – NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!! Women’s Wrestling Defends Title and Have Six Individual National Champions
The No.1 McKendree University women’s wrestling team defended its National Championship at the second-annual Cliff Keen National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship (NCWWC) Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats also added six individual champions. Sam Schmitz‘s team was represented by 15 wrestlers, where eight made it into the finals. In the end, McKendree won its second consecutive NCWWC Title with 209 points while 14 Bearcats were named All-Americans. Six Bearcats were crowned individual National Champions, and head coach Schmitz was named Coach of the Year and Coach of the NCWWC Tournament.
This tournament was also a qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, that will take place in Fort Worth, Tex., April 2-3. According to the procedures, “the highest placed NCWWC Senior Women’s Freestyle athlete per weight category who has yet to qualify, will qualify to enter the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – wrestling at the weight category she chooses”. There were 10 women who punches their ticket to Fort Worth, including five Bearcats. … rest of story at https://mckbearcats.com/news/2021/3/6/no-1-womens-wrestling-defends-ncwwc-title-six-individual-national-champions.aspx?mc_cid=98fec82373&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – McKendree had tough decisions to make on its way to a second national women’s title
Even before the tournament began, McKendree coach Sam Schmitz had a decision to make. His team entered the second annual National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Tiffin, Ohio, on March 6 as the reigning champions and the favorite to repeat. As a refresher, 2020 was the first year that NCAA-affiliated programs hosted a stand-alone championship exclusive of NAIA and juniors colleges. Prior to that, the WCWA championships served as an end-of-the-year tournament for women’s collegiate wrestling programs regardless of affiliation.
Unlike last year, there was a qualification procedure to compete at the 2021 national tournament. Each team could qualify up to 15 athletes but only one wrestler per weight was allowed to score. That posed a unique challenge for Schmitz as his team sent 15 wrestlers to the tournament, which played out in the strangest way at 101 pounds. Reigning national champion Pauline Granados was seeded third behind her teammate, Lizette Rodriguez. The two were predicted to meet in the semifinals but Rodriguez — the No. 2 seed — was upset in the quarterfinals and eventually wrestled back for third. Granados reached the finals but dropped a 3-3 match to Angelina Gomez of Emmanuel. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1615113557966&twSessionId=hqmldenbei&postId=1111296135&mc_cid=98fec82373&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Six storylines to follow at this weekend’s National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships
The 2021 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships are in Tiffin, Ohio, on March 6. This is the second year for the tournament that features NCAA women’s wrestling programs across all divisions. Unlike last year, wrestlers had to qualify for the championships through a regional tournament. However, multiple wrestlers from a team can participate. For example, McKendree — the returning team champions — qualified 15 wrestlers for the championships. However, only 10 wrestlers can score and they must be preselected in advance. Here are six storylines to follow heading into this year’s National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships.
101 SHOULD BE LOTS OF FUN
Sophomore Pauline Granados of McKendree is the returning champion at 101 pounds, but she has her work cut out if she plans to repeat. Granados won 5-1 in the finals thanks to a spectacular five-point throw. She will need something big to stand atop the podium in 2021. Her teammate — freshman Lizette Rodriguez — is seeded second and junior Jaclyn McNichols of King is seeded first. Rodriguez posted a 4-3 win over Granados at the regional championships while McNichols — a fourth place finisher at last year’s tournament — defeated Granados earlier in the season.
SHILSON SEEMS UNSTOPPABLE
Although she has taken losses against senior-level competition, Emily Shilson of Augsburg has yet to taste defeat during a college match. The 2018 Cadet World champion blitzed through the 109-pound bracket in 2020 with two technical superiorities and two falls.
… rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1614803894669&twSessionId=jyimczeiha&postId=1104138135&mc_cid=e764d9125d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – NWCA Announces 2021 NAIA Women’s National Coach of the Year
Jamestown, ND – On Thursday evening the NAIA hosted a virtual National Championship Coaches Social. At the conclusion of the event, National Wrestling Coaches Association Executive Director Mike Moyer recognized the five finalists for the NAIA Women’s National Coach of the Year and announced the winner as selected by their peers. The award is presented to the coach that has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community. The NWCA National Coach of the Year awards program is presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA. “In continuing our mission, Defense Soap is proud to partner with the NWCA, to keep wrestlers on the mat with our products and education in hygiene.” Guy Sako, Founder and CEO of Defense Soap. The recipient of this year’s NAIA Women’s National Coach of the Year is Lee Miracle of Campbellsville University (KY). Coach Miracle is in his 8th season as head coach and his achievements this season include an 8-0 dual meet record capped by a regular-season Mid-South Conference championship, a 3rd MSC Individual Tournament title with seven finalists, five individual conference champions, and 12 athletes qualified for the NAIA Championships. His current roster is comprised of 43 wrestlers. … rest of story at https://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-announces-2021-naia-womens-national-coach-of-the-year/?mc_cid=1a80b5744e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Augsburg women’s wrestling coach Mejia stepping down
MINNEAPOLIS — Augsburg University Women’s Wrestling Head Coach Max Mejia has submitted his resignation, after leading the Auggie program for the past two seasons, the university announced on Tuesday. Mejia helped to launch the Auggie women’s wrestling program in 2019, coaching the team through its first two seasons. The Auggies finished fifth at the 2021 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCAA schools) on Saturday, the best finish among all NCAA Division III teams at the event. “I have appreciated my time here in the Augsburg Athletics Department,” Mejia said. “It has been a blessing to be involved with a university with such a strong wrestling culture. It was special to be a part of the process that led to establishing the only women’s wrestling program in the state of Minnesota.” Mejia is scheduled to complete his coaching responsibilities on March 12, before relocating to Oregon to be with his fiance. A national search will begin immediately for Mejia’s replacement, according to Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson. … rest of story at https://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2021/3/8/wwr030821.aspx?mc_cid=2cfe70fede&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – John Smith: ‘Oklahoma State Is In Talks’ about Adding a Women’s Program
During Oklahoma State’s weekly wrestling media availability, John Smith was asked about the pandemic and how it’s impacting programs. He had a number of comments, but one specifically related to its impact on women’s wrestling. “I think we’ll come out of this in good shape,” said Smith. “I think it probably put the brakes on in a lot of ways with women’s wrestling for just a moment, not long. I’ll say, I think as we come out of this, women’s wrestling has a real opportunity of growth.” John then discussed the impact on his program, “I look at my check every month, it’s a big difference,” Smith said. “It’s OK, what Coach Holder has done, it’s OK. It takes some leadership, you gotta make some decisions, not everyone is going to agree with it. In the end Oklahoma State appears to be in good shape as we go forward. You’re not doing that without making hard decisions. My operating budget, I’ll probably end up spending 35-40% of it. That’s a good thing. If all of our sports are doing the same, which they are, we’re going to be in a lot better place when this thing is over.” I followed up by asking Coach Smith if when things get back to normal could we ever see a women’s program at Oklahoma State? … rest of story at https://pistolsfiringblog.com/john-smith-oklahoma-state-is-in-talks-about-adding-a-womens-program/?mc_cid=e764d9125d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – CAMPBELLSVILLE WINS NAIA WOMEN’S NATIONAL INVITATIONAL WITH LIFE SECOND; 10 WRESTLERS PUNCH TICKET TO OLYMPIC TRIALS
JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Led by five finalists and 10 All-Americans, top-ranked Campbellsville claimed the team title at the NAIA Women’s National Invitational on Saturday at Jamestown University. Campbellsville had 185 points, ahead of second place Life with 134.5 points. Wayland Baptist placed third with 100 points, Oklahoma City was fourth with 96.5 points and Southern Oregon was fifth with 94.5 points. Campbellsville finished with one individual champion, McKayla Campbell (109) and four runners-up. Campbell won a crazy final, where it went to the final seconds before she beat 2019 NAIA national champion Asia Ray of Wayland Baptist, 16-14. Ray, a past Junior World medalist, was attempting to become the first two-time NAIA individual national champion. Campbell competed on two U.S. Junior World Teams. Runners-up for Campbellsville were Charlotte Fowler (116), Angela Vitiritti (130) , Randi Robison (136) and Alexandra Castillo (170). … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/13/Campbellsville-wins-NAIA-Womens-Nationals?mc_cid=adf7973f0f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Making Her-story: Bolton becomes first female Spartan to receive wrestling scholarship
Emporia High senior Caitlin Bolton made history when she signed to continue her wrestling career at Hastings College on Wednesday, making her the first Spartan from Emporia’s two-year-old girls wrestling program to take her talents to the next level. The NAIA school is one of only a few dozen to offer women’s college wrestling and just completed its first season back in March. The moment was monumental but not just for Bolton alone. She said that being on the leading edge of the girls wrestling wave at her high school would hopefully bring in more girls to the sport. “That makes me feel really good that I’m making the walk for other girls so hopefully that makes them think that ‘Hey, I can do this too. If she can do it, we can all do it,’ and hopefully it just keeps growing and growing,” she said. Shawn Russell, Emporia High’s girls wrestling coach, said that, during the two seasons that Bolton was on the girls wrestling team, she provided a great deal to the team both on and off the mat. … rest of story at http://www.emporiagazette.com/gaz/article_ad18bfd8-9957-11eb-b3e6-2f88e51452b6.html?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Alvernia Names Brazel Marquez As First Women’s Wrestling Coach
Reading, Pa. (April 14, 2021) – Alvernia University Director of Athletics Bill Stiles announced on Wednesday the hiring of Brazel Marquez as the first head coach of Alvernia’s NCAA Division III Women’s Wrestling program. Marquez joins the Alvernia staff following two years at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia. “Brazel’s experience coaching at some of the top of intercollegiate women’s wrestling programs in the country, along with her outstanding career as a student-athlete, immediately jumped her to the top of the list of candidates,” said Stiles. “Her passion, commitment to the student-athlete, and drive make her the perfect fit for Alvernia.” At Division II Emmanuel College, Marquez was the assistant coach to a program that was ranked third in the NCAA. During her time at Emmanual, Marquez coached 13 All-Americans, two national champion runner-ups and a 2021 national champion. Marquez also coached two 2021 Olympic Trial qualifiers for this year’s Tokyo Olympics. … rest of story at https://auwolves.com/news/2021/4/14/alvernia-names-brazel-marquez-as-first-womens-wrestling-coach.aspx?mc_cid=41e05ef71b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – NEW FRIENDS WRESTLING COACH AARON MEISTER REFLECTS ON RECRUITING, COACHING OLYMPIAN TAMYRA MENSAH-STOCK
WICHITA, Kan. – When Aaron Meister was chosen to pioneer the new Friends University men’s and women’s wrestling programs as the team’s first-ever head coach, he brought with him vast experience of success and coaching winners. One highlight of his previous coaching stop at Wayland Baptist University was recruiting and coaching Tamyra Mensah-Stock, who earlier this month qualified for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics by winning the 68kg series 2-0 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Fort Worth, Texas. Below, Meister goes in-depth to describe his experience recruiting and coaching Mensah-Stock while both were at WBU. “Tamyra Mensah-Stock is finishing what she started – “The Olympic Journey”
“When I was recruiting Tamyra one of the first conversations we had on her recruiting trip was what her goal in wrestling was, and she replied “I want to be an Olympian.” My reply to her statement was “greater the goal greater the commitment.” She replied to me and stated, “I’ve got the heart of a champion.” And that statement literally gave me goosebumps. From that moment on we did everything in our power to prepare her for this moment, and she’s done everything that was needed. As a Coach seeing your athlete reach the pinnacle is one of the most rewarding things to experience. I’m so grateful to have been a part of her journey. I’m equally grateful to have had this experience at such a young age in my career. Some people wait a lifetime, and some people never even get the opportunity at all so for me to experience this at such a young age is truly a blessing. Having gone through that process I now know what it takes and will use this experience for the people that I work with now.
In wrestling Tamyra has done just about everything there is to do, except win an Olympic Gold medal. She’s already won a World Championship, which is much more difficult to do than win an Olympic Championship, but we value the Olympics more because they’re held only once every four years. … rest of story at https://www.friendsathletics.com/article/3754?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Texas Women’s University ATHLETICS ADDS WOMEN’S WRESTLING
DENTON, Texas – Texas Woman’s University has furthered its commitment to providing additional competitive opportunities for women within intercollegiate athletics, announcing Thursday that the university will launch an intercollegiate women’s wrestling program beginning in the fall of 2022. The search for the program’s first coach will begin soon. “Bringing women’s wrestling to Texas Woman’s University is an exciting venture at just the right time,” said Sandee Mott, Director of Athletics. “As one of the fastest-growing sports across the nation, and specifically our state and region, this team will allow us to further the mission of the University as we empower women through education, competition, and leadership development. Wrestling is a perfect complement to the current make-up of our department. The first task is to get the right coach who can come in and build the foundation of the program to ensure its success immediately and long-term.”
One of the fastest-growing scholastic sports with over 21,000 participants in 21 states, women’s wrestling was approved for emerging sport status within the NCAA in January 2020. The program is a natural fit for the state of Texas, who has a strong claim as the top state for women’s wrestling in the nation. In the most recent USA Wrestling women’s rankings, Texas has three female wrestlers in the top spot, more than any other state in the country with the exception of California. The state of Texas has the second-highest number of participants in raw numbers, with 4,421 girls competing at the high school level. … rest of story at https://twuathletics.com/news/2021/4/22/wrestling-twu-athletics-adds-womens-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=391a23a860&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – Self-belief, inner strength drive Lauren Mason’s new wrestling journey
Lauren Mason was attracted to Simon Fraser University from California to compete for the women’s wrestling program and to study abroad, and through that process she has discovered so much about herself. “I got to experience a new country, a new place I had never been. I learned about the sport of wrestling, my body, and my mindset when I compete,” said Mason, reflecting on her five years at SFU. “And most importantly, I learned that I can do hard things; I can finish what I start, and that I can have fun while doing it.” During Mason’s five years women’s wrestling finished second in its pursuit of the national team championship each year (2017-2020). Mason picked up a pair of bronze medals at nationals in 2019 and 2020 after placing eighth at her first national tournament in 2018.
… rest of story at https://athletics.sfu.ca/news/2021/5/3/wrestling-w-self-belief-inner-strength-drive-lauren-masons-new-wrestling-journey.aspx?mc_cid=2136f7bdf1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
13 | – Paulina Biega Named First SHU Women’s Wrestling Head Coach
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Embracing its pioneering spirit, Sacred Heart University announced last fall that it would add the first varsity women’s wrestling program in New England. On Thursday, SHU named Paulina Biega as the program’s first head coach. She will be the first female NCAA Division 1 wrestling coach in the country. A collegiate and international wrestler herself, Biega comes to the Pioneers after two seasons as the assistant coach at Campbellsville University. During the 2019-20 campaign she helped the Tigers win their second-straight national championship then CU repeated as national champs the following year. In addition, the Tigers were runners-up at the 2020 NWCA National Duals and back-to-back Mid-South Conference Champions.
“I feel very blessed and honored to be named the first head women’s wrestling coach at Sacred Heart University,” Biega said. “It has been a dream come true to be a part of an institution like this one and I will do my best to meet and exceed expectations.” The 2019-20 title team dominated the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships. A record-setting 13 CU student-athletes earned All-America honors, including a trio of individual national champions.
Sacred Heart will begin competition this fall as a member of the WCWA. With the addition of women’s wrestling, the Pioneers will have 34 varsity teams, including 21 for women. “Paulina Biega is a champion in every sense of the word and is the epitome of a great leader,” SHU head coach John Clark said. “Coach Biega is going to do amazing things here at Sacred Heart University and I can’t wait to see what the women’s team is going to accomplish in the coming years.” … rest of story at https://sacredheartpioneers.com/general/2020-21/releases/20210506pe03kz?mc_cid=987a3385bf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
14 } – Minot State University Athletics Announces it will add Women’s Wrestling
MINOT, N.D. – MSU Director of Athletics, Andy Carter announced today, “I am proud to represent Minot State University Athletics. It is with tremendous excitement and anticipation to announce MSU will be adding Women’s Wrestling as an intercollegiate varsity sport within Beaver Athletics.” We will lead the state’s public higher education landscape with this addition as MSU will become the first among the 11 North Dakota University System campuses to have a Women’s Wrestling team. The timing is also perfect as the North Dakota High School Activities Association just a few weeks ago announced that girls wrestling would be added as an officially sanctioned sport for the first time beginning with the 2021-22 academic year.”
Minot State University Department of Athletics has been working with external consultants during the past year in a comprehensive and rigorous review of the Athletic Department’s overall Title IX compliance. The federal Title IX Act of 1972 impacts all aspects of higher education, but specifically within Athletics it requires that institutions provide equitable treatment of student-athletes in three specific areas: athletic participation opportunities, proportional availability of athletic scholarships for males, and females, and equal treatment of male and female student-athletes. … rest of story at https://msubeavers.com/news/2021/5/6/general-minot-state-athletics-announces-it-will-add-womens-wrestling-in-2021-22.aspx?mc_cid=987a3385bf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
15 } – NWCA 2021 NAIA Women’s Scholar All-America Awards
Manheim, PA – On Wednesday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the 2021 Scholar All-America teams and individual honorees for the NAIA Women. Awards went to 48 individuals representing nine institutions. University of the Cumberlands took the team race with a 3.538 team GPA followed closely by Runners Up Indiana Tech (3.513) and Third Place Life University (3.509). Rounding out the Top Five was #4 Baker University (3.332) and #5 Missouri Baptist University (3.224) “Spring is always an exciting time as we get to continue honoring student-athletes following the season with our Scholar All-American Awards,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “Competitive success is something our athletes should strive for, but of equal or greater importance is their academic performance. Today we honor our outstanding list of scholars from the NAIA Women’s division for their commitment to excellence in the classroom. I have no doubt that these young athletes will go on to do great things in any area they choose to ply their trade.” This year’s individual awards include two NAIA National Champions, … rest of story at https://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-2021-naia-womens-scholar-all-america-awards/?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wrestling History (2021) – # 6
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Great lessons can be learned from studying the history of wrestlers and wrestling. One can learn great lessons from losses and from victories. So read on and keep on wrestling! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2933 (6/21/21)
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1 } – Brandon Slay: My Greatest Loss
This is part of the ‘My Greatest Loss’ series. It’s a retrospective look at some of the setbacks that helped reshape the careers of past and present wrestling stars, setting them on a higher trajectory toward greatness. Penn RTC coach Brandon Slay was a 2000 Olympic gold medalist and two-time finalist at the NCAA Championships for Penn (1997-98). Dave Schultz was a 1983 World champion, 1984 Olympic gold medalist, and a seven-time World/Olympic medalist. Charles Burton was a 2000 Olympian and third-place finisher at the 1996 NCAA Championships. The following are Slay’s words on his quarterfinal loss to Burton at the 1994 Midlands.
A FOLKSTYLE BUTT-WHOOPING
“My greatest loss was to Charles Burton during my third year at Penn. It was at the Midlands and he beat me 18-6, which in folkstyle is a butt-whooping. If you lose 18-6 in folkstyle you got manhandled. That loss showed me how far away I was from being an All-American. “My initial reaction was a major frustration. I thought what I was doing defensively wasn’t correct. I thought what I was doing during that match was the right thing.”
DAVE SCHULTZ TO THE RESCUE
“I went back to the University of Pennsylvania. I talked to Dave Schultz — I went out to train with him at Foxcatcher. He asked me how Midlands went and I told him that I didn’t wrestle well and I lost to Charles Burton, 18-6. “He said, ‘18-6! That’s a big margin in folkstyle.’ … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1618629513032&twSessionId=fxvtiblltu&postId=1157362135&mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Origin stories: Penn wrestling
Penn played a key role in the formation of the first-ever intercollegiate wrestling association
By By Eashwar Kantemneni
Wrestling holds a very special place in the hearts of many lifelong Quakers. Benjamin Franklin, founder of the University of Pennsylvania, wrote in his original proposal for the University, “to keep [the students] in health and to strengthen and render active their bodies they be frequently exercised in running, leaping, wrestling and swimming.” He even drew up plans to build a wrestling facility on the future campus. Penn was the first university to recognize an undergraduate national champion in wrestling. Winchester Osgood, a football star for the Quakers, was the first collegiate athlete to win a national championship in wrestling, winning the 1893 National Amateur Middleweight Championships of America. Osgood went on to capture a three-peat, winning the title again in 1894 and 1895, placing Penn on a pedestal during the early days of the sport’s rise.
Penn also played a key role in the formation of the first-ever intercollegiate wrestling association. In 1905, head coach J. Leonard Mason, along with Charles T. Brown and J. Edgar Weisenfluh, invited all universities located on the East Coast who had a wrestling program to compete in an intercollegiate league. Penn, alongside Yale, Princeton, and Columbia, became the founding members of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. … rest of story at https://www.thedp.com/article/2021/04/penn-wrestling-origin-stories?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Johnny Clark: What I learned from John and Mitch Clark
Sacred Heart coach Johnny Clark was a two-time All-American for Ohio State. His father, John, coached St. Lawrence to a D3 NCAA team title in 1988 while his brother, Mitch, was a 1998 NCAA champion for Ohio State. The following are thoughts from Clark on what he learned from his father and brother.
BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION
What I learned from dad was basically how to build a program and how to build a community around him. I remember going to wrestling matches as a kid and we would basically be treated to full, packed stands with knowledgeable fans. Here we were in Canton, New York, which is basically a hockey town. It was the primary sport at St. Lawrence. He produced something like 46 All-Americans, nine national champs, and won a team title in 1988. They wrestled under the spotlight and he had fabulous teams year in and year out. He had a good following and was well respected in the community. In reflection, that’s basically what I’m trying to do. We’re in a place where we’re trying to educate people on wrestling and start packing the stands. That’s been fabulous to learn from him.
It’s unique to have everyone in our family win a national title with my brother at Blair Academy, Mitch winning in high school and college and my dad winning and producing national championships as well. Coaching was instilled into me at a young age. I see a lot of young athletes now who are very successful and they are sort of an island. They might not have a father or brother who was a national champ or who was really involved with the sport. To be able to have that and to be able to reference that is phenomenal. I still lean on my dad many times for questions. Beyond that, he was an athletic director. I have that knowledge of how an athletic department works.
MITCH IS RICH WITH WORK ETHIC
In regard to my brother Mitch, he was someone who always pushed me. He taught me hard work. He taught me to work when no one is watching. Not a lot of people were watching growing up. Again, back in the roots of upstate New York. He was very disciplined. He’d get up on his own to run before school. We would lift on Christmas. We would lift on New Year’s Eve. There were no days off. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1618629513032&twSessionId=fxvtiblltu&postId=1157122135&mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – A dedicated work-ethic built Baumgartner’s self-belief, and he became the best in his chosen sport of wrestling
By ED FARRELL
GREENVILLE – Coming from a man who won 13 World Championships and/or Olympics medals it sounds simple, but Bruce Baumgartner’s message resonated realistically and reasonably: “I believe everybody can and will be successful in life … if they make the choices to do so, and if they put the work in,” observed Baumgartner, the 1984 Olympics super-heavyweight (freestyle) gold-medalist.
He served as guest speaker at the annual Father-Son breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus following morning Mass at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church. Approximately a year ago Baumgartner retired following a 36-plus-year career with Edinboro University as wrestling coach, administrator and vice-president for university advancement. Owing to his chosen sport, Baumgartner’s straightforward speaking style espoused encouragement, honesty and remaining realistic. “You can fool and lie to a lot of people, but the single person you can’t fool or lie to is yourself,” Baumgartner began. “You know if you’ve put the time and the effort and the work in, the research in, whether it’s to be successful as a wrestler or successful in your job. There’s a lot of people out there, a lot of wrestlers, who talk about how hard they work and talk about all the different things they did …
“But you can’t fool yourself,” Baumgartner reiterated. “To have confidence you have to believe in the people around you and you have to believe in yourself. So I won all those medals and all those different things … yeah, I won the medals and I ultimately did the work – but the people who were advising me, my workout partners, my coaches – I had to believe in them so I could do what they helped me design to do and make a plan so that I could believe in myself.
… rest of story at https://www.sharonherald.com/sports/a-dedicated-work-ethic-built-baumgartners-self-belief-and-he-became-the-best-in-his/article_485b6f94-a09d-11eb-a24c-f3f313ee9e89.html?mc_cid=82e9baddf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – NEW PODCAST: Kerry McCoy – Two-Time Olympic Wrestler
By Jason Romano
Kerry McCoy is currently the executive director and head coach at the California Olympic Regional Training Center. Prior to that, he was the head wrestling coach for the University of Maryland from 2008-2019, where he led the Terps to three conference championships and was a three-time coach of the year. He also had coaching stints at Stanford University and Lehigh University. As a wrestler at Penn State, McCoy was a three-time NCAA All-American and a two-time national champion. He competed at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, won a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games and won silver at the 2003 World Championships. Today on the podcast, McCoy shares his story of faith and wrestling, how God guided him through a journey that saw McCoy participate in two Olympics, and about the greater impact he now hopes to have as a coach and mentor.
… rest of story at https://sportsspectrum.com/podcast/2021/04/19/new-podcast-kerry-mccoy-two-time-olympic-wrestler/?mc_cid=5c73249ed8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – #227 John Smith – 6x World and Olympic Champ
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This episode is with the great John Smith. This interview was recorded in September of 2020 and was the second of three interviews that we recorded with John as part of our audio documentary, The Smiths. This interview covers the second-half of John’s competitive career, as well as John’s perspective on Pat’s career. Enjoy! … rest of story at https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/227-john-smith-6x-world-and-olympic-champ/?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Mark Branch: What I learned from John Smith
Mark Branch was a two-time NCAA champion (1994 and 1997) and a four-time NCAA championship finalist (1994-97) for Oklahoma State head coach John Smith. Branch was an assistant coach under Smith until he took his current role as the head coach at Wyoming. As a wrestler, Smith won NCAA titles for the Cowboys in 1987 and 1988 before winning six World and Olympic titles in a row (1987-92). The following are Branch’s thoughts on what he learned from Smith.
ADAPT TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS
“I think as a coach I learned to continue to adapt and never stop learning. Keep looking at every situation as something new and something different instead of getting into a routine. I think that’s one of the most helpful things I’ve had as an experience of working around him and under him.” “As an athlete the confidence that comes from the commitment. It’s silly to think you’re going to have confidence if you’re not all in and your heart’s not in it and you’re not fully invested and ready to do what it takes to be the best. Those are some of the things that stick out to me among 1000 things.”
DETAILS MATTER
“There were two experiences. I walked into college trigonometry on my first day of college. I couldn’t understand the professor. Not only was he pretty much speaking a foreign language but then what he was delivering was definitely a foreign language. My head was spinning so bad that I went over and changed my major and quit. I was going to be a math major and I changed my mind on the first day because I didn’t want that.” “It was the same thing in the wrestling room. When I walked into that wrestling room the things that were being thrown at me were so foreign that it made my head spin. The only difference was I wanted to wrestle and I was invested in that.” “I remember going back to my dorm room and writing everything down — every detail of everything I learned from that first year. I knew for a fact that there was no way I could comprehend it just seeing it once or twice and be able to retain it.” “When it comes to technique, he’s a professor. It was awe-inspiring but it was also intimidating because I sucked — I sucked bad. Why hadn’t I been taught all this stuff?” “Instead of walking out and throwing in the towel — I was ready to figure it out.” “It was absolutely above my head. Trying to go out when he would teach something then you’d break out with your partner to try and work on it. I couldn’t put what I was seeing into body movements. I really, really struggled even drilling for a long time.” “It was like the movie ‘A Beautiful Mind.’ It was a bunch of symbols and me trying to figure out what it meant. It took a little while to be able to understand it. Once you did something and the movement felt right — it was pretty motivating to get it for the first time.”
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
“He’s a really patient guy. I think he was the opposite of that as a competitor but as a coach, he’s pretty patient and looking at the big picture and that it’s a journey and that you don’t need to get everything done today. It’s not my style necessarily but it’s very successful and it’s very unique that he can do that.” … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1619754332091&twSessionId=ubgrigvtap&postId=1163612135&mc_cid=8c1db46849&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Jon Reader: My Greatest Loss
This is part of the ‘My Greatest Loss’ series. It’s a retrospective look at some of the setbacks that helped reshape the careers of past and present wrestling stars, setting them on a higher trajectory toward greatness. Wisconsin assistant Jon Reader reflects on his loss to Andy Rendos during the round of 12 at the 2010 NCAA tournament as a junior and an undefeated season in 2011. The former Iowa State star breaks down the match and how it continues to influence his career.
GET BACK ON THAT HORSE This isn’t easy for me to bring up. During my college career, I was a three-time All-American. As a freshman and sophomore, I was an All-American. I got seventh as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore. I think I was the No. 4 seed going into the tournament my junior year, I walked into the NCAA tournament and I lost in the first round. I had some difficult circumstances prior to that NCAA tournament that happened. I had some concussions and I hurt my knee pretty good in the NCAA finals. Leading into the NCAA tournament was going to be challenging. I lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament and I wrestled all the way back to the round of 12. I lost in the round of 12 to a guy who I was a couple of points away from teching him at the beginning of the season.
That moment was one of the best moments in my entire career. It’s hard for me to say that, but it was a pivotal moment for me as a man. I learned what I was made of because I was at the lowest point in my college career where I learned exactly what I was made of. How do you get back up on that horse? How do you make the corrections? It was a driving force leading into my senior year. I eventually made a University World team that next summer and went undefeated as a senior but that moment, losing, and not becoming an All-American — it was dark. I was really dark after. Looking back now as a father and as a coach, that moment allows me to teach a lot to my kids and my athletes. It was about motivation and perseverance and getting back up on that horse.
HIS NAME WAS ANDY RENDOS
His name was Andy Rendos from Bucknell. I wrestled him in the All-Star dual at the beginning of the season. He was the guy who beat me in the round of 12 in that tournament. It was tough. He was better in the moment. No excuses. He was better in that time. He made the correct adjustments. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1619578756615&twSessionId=mkjrijasca&postId=1162229135&mc_cid=c1dee7f2bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – #232 Yianni Diakomihalis – Origins of an NCAA Champion
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Yianni Diakomihalis is a 2x NCAA Champion for Cornell University and is one of the best freestyle wrestlers in the country at 65kg. He recently took 4th at the 2021 Olympic Trials and will be gunning for his 3rd NCAA title during the 2021/2022 season. This interview took place four days before the 2021 Olympic Trials and was recorded for Tokyo Dreams, the 5-part vlog series that we produced. One caveat, Ryan is not mic’d up for this interview, so bear with us for Ryan’s audio quality. Connect with Yianni on Twitter & Instagram: @yiannidiako_LGR … rest of story at https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/232-yianni-diakomihalis-origins-of-an-ncaa-champion/?mc_cid=33a8cd508f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Dan Gable: My Greatest Loss
On March 28, 1970, sophomore Larry Owings (Washington) defeated senior Dan Gable (Iowa State), 13-11, in the 142-pound finals of the NCAA Championships. Gable entered the match on a 181-match win streak over his high school and college career. The win by Owings is considered the greatest upset in college wrestling history and one of the greatest upset in sport. Gable went on to win the 1971 World Championships and the 1972 Olympics followed by a coaching career at the University of Iowa that included 15 NCAA team titles and 21 straight Big Ten titles. Owings placed second at the 1971 and 1972 NCAA Championships. The following are Dan Gable’s words on his iconic match against Owings and why Gable considers it his greatest loss. “When you associate great it’s usually with something spectacular. A few years ago they had a poll and the poll was the greatest collegiate match in history. My match (against Owings) won the poll. It made me look at that match a little differently even though I had already done that for years — but I never associated ‘great’ with that loss on my part. “Maybe it was the greatest win on Larry Owings’s part except when I talked to Larry Owings that match really hurt him for his future wrestling. He basically said that to me and he said that in print many times that if he had to do it over again that maybe he wouldn’t like to take the same outcome because he didn’t know how to handle that big of a win, which might have turned out to be a loss for him for his future, but in reality, it turned out to be a win-win for me in my athletic career and my coaching career.
“Yes, I’m going to keep the word great associated with a loss only because of what it did for me and my future as an athlete and my future as a coach of winning 15 national titles, 21 Big Ten in a row, a father of four children, and a husband of 46 years of marriage. All those things are associated with this greatest loss. In reality, it turned great for me and my life because it gave me a completely different perspective. It gave me a completely different thought process. It gave me the opportunity to do some things I should have been doing before.
“I hate to admit it, but I’m going to admit that I associate great with a loss. So it’s my greatest loss. Even when I was coaching I still struggled early to ever associate greatness with it. It took quite a while. “Even today, I don’t like the fact that I had to lose to become much better. I always know there’s another level, there’s another move, there’s another way of training. It’s life. What was really successful back in the 1800s is probably not acceptable now. Things change. Perfection is a word that’s always being perfected. “I know for some people losses eat at them inside and it’s difficult to rectify losses — but you have to conquer it.
“I’m really associated with this sport of amateur wrestling and Old Dominion and Stanford (dropping wrestling is a loss). We need an Oregon school. We need a Montana school. Having Old Dominion drop and Stanford drop — that eats at you. It’s a matter of people preventing things from happening. “Once I had that loss to Owing it basically forced me into a preventative mode for many more losses — on the mat and off the mat. They are very similar if you apply it that way. “You have to understand that you prepare for difficult times. I didn’t prepare enough for somebody beating me — and that’s why he beat me. I didn’t prepare for that. I was doing things that I shouldn’t have been doing — at the tournament and even the summer before. I skipped a camp that I normally go to and I didn’t go. I know that now, and because I know that, I’m aware of it more than ever.
“I ask myself in wrestling: Why aren’t our wrestling organizations ahead of the game? Well, it’s easier said than done. It is awareness and it is that prevention mode that makes you move forward to have a lot of success. “It’s up to you to make a loss great but you have to look for help, too. It’s understanding that you can’t do the same things you did before to make it happen. Whatever I was doing, I had to realize what I needed to do better and then apply and get the expertise and put the application in. “Bobby Douglas got on board to help me technically. I understood that my stance was four inches too high and that at a high level I was reaching too much (during matches) so I needed to bend my knees. I already had over 10 years of wrestling but that shows you that you can fine-tune after 181 wins in a row without a loss in scholastic wrestling. “It’s really never too late to improve and to move forward. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1618966548085&twSessionId=aqogwssike&postId=1158971135&mc_cid=1a96ae13a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Tom Clum: My Greatest Loss
In 2001, Tom Clum, a senior at Pomona High School, entered the final match of his scholastic high school career with a 148-0 record and three Colorado state championships. He was on track to become the first Colorado wrestler to go undefeated. Clum led 12-8 with 10 seconds remaining the 125-pound 5A state championship when he was headlocked for five points, losing to Brett Roller of Wasson, 13-12. Clum attended the University of Wisconsin where was a two-time All-American, placing third at the 2005 NCAA championships and fifth in 2006. The following are Tom Clum’s words on his match against Brett Roller in the 2001 state finals.
On the feeling going into the 2001 Colorado state wrestling championships
“I didn’t really think it was a possibility (to lose). What wrestler thinks he’s going to lose? I played out that scenario (of losing) in my mind and what I would do. My dad was such an influence on me for my whole life that we constantly talked about how to take wins and losses. Outside of Colorado, it’s not like I was winning everything. It’s not like I didn’t lose a lot. I was barely cracking through — if placing — at the big tournaments. I didn’t look at myself as this great undefeated wrestler by any means. It’s not to say it didn’t hurt, but I knew the possibility was there. It ran through my mind: What I would do and how I would behave?
“I don’t remember a wrestling story quite like (mine) before or after. In the newspaper days — this was obviously before social media. If you’re big on social media that’s great, but it’s a fairly select crowd. It’s not reaching non-wrestling people that much. There was a pretty big buzz. Every time I went out to get a haircut or go to McDonald’s people recognized who I was. “I was a pretty shy kid anyway and so it’s not like I enjoyed the spotlight. I kind of learned how to deal with it throughout my career. When I was a freshman I got a little bit of press and it was cool because it was new. My dad and I started talking about the proper way to handle that and think about it — what to say and that sort of thing. As my career went on and I started getting more attention obviously the talks with my dad started to pick up, so by the time I was a senior we had four years of a lot of talking about that. I felt like I was prepared at that point. I don’t think the press or pressure (weighed on me). I was pretty much totally prepared for it. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1618887781668&twSessionId=thoumyalpr&postId=1157557135&mc_cid=5c73249ed8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – Unforgiving: The sudden death of a program comes in the bloodround
Part 3 : UNC Greensboro’s Sudden Death
One of the stark realities of college sports is only a few actually matter in the Division I landscape. Sadly, we know wrestling, despite its sellout crowds at the NCAA Division I championships, has been an all-too-frequent victim of athletic downsizing. Whether it’s blamed on financial situations, administrators blaming gender equity for their own job failures or, as we’ve seen recently, using a global pandemic as a rationale to slash opportunity, sports get cut.
For Jason Loukides, the cut at UNC Greensboro still stings a decade after school administrators announced the drop three days before Spartan wrestlers were to wrestle at the NCAA Division I Championships. Loukides spent seven years at UNCG, five as its head coach. He’s currently the Greco-Roman coach for the All-Marine Wrestling Team. He talks about the cut at UNCG as “picking at a scab that never fully heals.” Read the full story on Patreon or Mat Talk Online’s Rokfin channel. … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/blog/unforgiving-the-sudden-death-of-a-program-comes-in-the-bloodround/?mc_cid=d92d6a4129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 23 {Pennsylvania}
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Have been away to Ohio settling family business thus the delay in posting news and stories from Division I college teams in Pennsylvania. The Keystone state has a long, wide and deep tradition in wrestling. In the past decade Penn State has been the most dominant program in the state and nationally. Yet they are not the only successful program. Read on to learn more about the other programs as well. Keep on wrestling!. Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2932 (6/20/21)
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1 } – Pitt wrestling building success around local products
Pitt wrestling has found much success on the mat this year, as five Panthers had a chance to wrestle at the NCAA Championships this year. Among those five wrestlers, two of them — redshirt senior Jake Wentzel and redshirt junior Nino Bonaccorsi — not only won ACC titles in their respective weight classes, but worked their way up through the NCAA Championship bracket and had a shot at an NCAA title.
Redshirt junior Micky Phillippi also put up a strong performance in the ACC championships, placing second in his weight class. The other two Pitt wrestlers to qualify were redshirt sophomore Cole Matthews and redshirt senior Gregg Harvey.
The five Panthers who competed in the NCAA Championships have one thing in common — they’re all from Pennsylvania. In fact, 27 of the 31 wrestlers on Pitt’s roster hail from Pennsylvania. Pitt’s head coach, Keith Gavin, is also from Pennsylvania … rest of story at https://pittnews.com/article/164803/sports/pitt-wrestling-building-success-around-local-products/?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Malyke Hines Named EIWA Freshman of the Year
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh’s Malyke Hines has been named EIWA Freshman of the Year, it was announced following a vote of the league’s head coaches.
Hines was one of four individual EIWA champions for the Mountain Hawks, who won their fourth consecutive team title in February at Spooky Nook Sports Complex.
The Kissimmee, Florida native went 8-3 in his deferred freshman season, competing at 133 pounds. Hines went 3-1 during the regular season, including a win up at 141 over Binghamton’s Zack Trampe in Lehigh’s come-from-behind win over the Bearcats in late January. He posted bonus-point victories in his first two bouts at the EIWA Championships before winning a 4-2 decision over Navy’s Jacob Allen in the finals to claim the second of Lehigh’s four individual championships.
Hines was the No. 17 seed at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, going 2-2. Both of his NCAA victories provided bonus points as he beat Oregon State’s Devan Turner by an 8-0 major decision in the first round and then won his second round consolation by major decision over Sean Carter of Appalachian State. Hines’ four major decision victories were tops on the Mountain Hawks during the 2021 season. … rest of story at https://lehighsports.com/news/2021/4/7/wrestling-malyke-hines-named-eiwa-freshman-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – One and Done: How ‘High Risk’ Drexel Sports Teams Made it Through a Pandemic Season
When the Drexel University men’s basketball team returned to campus for the 2020–2021 season, Matey Juric, a third-year biology student and guard on the team, remembers Head Coach Zach Spiker instilling in them an age-old concept that had taken on new meaning for a season that would prove to be unlike any other.
“He kept saying, ‘The most disciplined team will win and will be the last one standing,’” Juric remembered of Spiker during that socially distant, late September meeting outside the Daskalakis Athletic Center, which kicked off for men’s basketball the already delayed fall sports season. “He meant it obviously in basketball terms, but also, I think more importantly, with the COVID situation, we needed to make sure we were staying disciplined with all the protocols.”
It was clear from that point on for players and coaches alike that not only was the season delayed, but it was going to be a lot different. Working with the Philadelphia Department of Health, the Drexel Athletics Department was poised to put a myriad of protocols in place so that practice and competition for basketball and wrestling — which the health department had deemed “high-risk” sports due to taking place in doors and little ability for players to social distance — could get underway. Those protocols included everything from pod practice in the Buckley Bubble vs. on the basketball court or in the wrestling room, restricted use of locker and weight rooms, and later, modified travel and meal arrangements for away games as well as daily testing. … rest of story at https://drexel.edu/now/archive/2021/May/One-and-Done-How-High-Risk-Drexel-Teams-Made-it-Through-a-Pandemic-Season/?mc_cid=812142449d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Edinboro community builds champions with successful wrestling fundraiser
EDINBORO, Pa. – Edinboro University’s Department of Athletics and the Fighting Scots wrestling team – in conjunction with the Office of University Advancement – recently wrapped up an effort to build champions on the wrestling mat, in the classroom and in the community.
Following a month-long campaign to support the wrestling team, Edinboro University raised $15,813 as a direct community investment in the academic growth of student-athletes. The funds from the Building Champions campaign will directly support the Athletics Scholarship Fund for current and future Fighting Scots.
Head Coach Matt Hill, who assumed the role in May 2018, said he is thankful for the support from the wrestling community and Edinboro alumni.
“These funds help our program thrive and grow through these challenging times,” said Hill, who wrestling for Edinboro from 2003-2007. “We are extremely grateful for all the support and can’t wait to get back on the wrestling mats this November for our fans and alumni.”
Dr. Katherine Robbins, director of Edinboro Athletics, thanks donors and alumni for contributing to the fundraiser and committing to the success of student-athletes.
“You know well the level of time, commitment, discipline and hard work it takes to be a Division I wrestler, and our student-athletes simply could not do what it takes to compete at the highest level without your support,” she said. “We are very excited about the future of Boro wrestling with you as a partner. Together, the sky is the limit.”
Fighting Scot wrestlers are part of a proud tradition of excellence, resilience and sportsmanship, and loyal financial supporters play a critical role in propelling that legacy forward. … rest of story at https://gofightingscots.com/news/2021/5/12/wrestling-edinboro-community-builds-champions-with-successful-wrestling-fundraiser.aspx?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – 2021 Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame Class Announced
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame Committee has revealed the Class of 2021, and seven former Bison greats — representing seven different sports — will comprise the 43rd induction class.
The Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021:
- Julia Diaz ’95, a standout women’s tennis player who won nearly 80 percent of her career matches for teams that compiled a 49-8 record.
- Jenny Snyder ’99, a four-time All-Patriot League shortstop on the Bucknell softball team.
- Kyle Walter ’06, a four-time All-Patriot League outfielder on the Bison baseball team.
- Amanda Faust ’09, the only Bucknell field hockey player ever to earn First Team All-Region honors three times.
- Andrew Cohen ’10, the 2009 Patriot League men’s golf champion who helped lead the Bison to two NCAA Tournament appearances.
- Kevin LeValley ’11, a two-time wrestling All-American and the program’s all-time wins leader.
- Christa Matlack ’11, an offensive force for the Bison women’s soccer team who captured back-to-back Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2009 and 2010.
The new Hall of Fame Class will be formally inducted on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m., as part of a special Hall of Fame Weekend at Bucknell. Since last year’s induction ceremony was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Class of 2020 will be honored on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. The new Hall-of-Famers will also have a chance to tour the brand new Hall of Fame area, … rest of story at https://bucknellbison.com/news/2021/5/13/bison-club-2021-bucknell-athletics-hall-of-fame-class-announced.aspx?mc_cid=c4978adc2e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Lower Dauphin grad Clayton Ulrey maniacally works through growing pains toward bright wrestling future at Virginia Tech
Lower Dauphin grad Clayton Ulrey felt all kinds of new things as a freshman at Virginia Tech, not the least of which was a bout with COVID-19 when he and the Hokies returned from the ACC championships. A manic worker whose wrestling style can best be described as nonstop and fast-paced, Ulrey was forced into quarantine and had to find ways to get all that energy out. Doctor’s orders were about the only thing that could keep Ulrey out of the Hokies’ practice room. “By the third or fourth day, I was going crazy,” Ulrey said. “I was doing what I can at the house, push-ups and sit-ups all the time.”
Ulrey made his mark as a freshman at Virginia Tech with that ironclad work ethic, but the adjustments he needed to make were also clear from the outset. For the first time in as long as he can remember, Ulrey wasn’t a starter and saw limited action in duals in bonus contests. When he got his chances, Ulrey made the most of them and showed how explosive he can be with a 6-1 record, four major decisions and a tech fall. … rest of story at https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/wrestling/2021/04/lower-dauphin-grad-clayton-ulrey-maniacally-works-through-growing-pains-toward-bright-wrestling-future-at-virginia-tech.html?mc_cid=41e05ef71b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – ‘The kid’s really special’: Drexel wrestler Luke Nichter’s outlook is as bright as ever after taking lumps at NCAA championships
Drexel freshman Luke Nichter sat in the stands at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis and struggled to come to terms with what he was watching. The former Chambersburg standout went 0-2 and was eliminated on Day 1 of his NCAA wrestling championships debut, but he watched those later rounds feeling like he could have hung with just about any 149-pounder in the country. That was a tough reality to face in the first few moments after Nichter’s freshman season ended, but the experience also gave him confidence that he is closer to reaching the national podium than his results might suggest. Nichter lost a 16-2 major decision to No. 9 seed Legend Lamer from Cal Poly in his opener, then was eliminated with a 7-1 loss to No. 8 seed Jaden Abas of Stanford.
“I watched [NCAAs] on TV growing up, then I got there and it was like, ‘All right, it’s the big show. Let’s go,’” Nichter said. “Then I lost those two matches and I’m sitting there watching all the placement rounds and everything and I was like, these kids are obviously really good, but they’re not as good as I hyped them up to be.” The national tournament was a whirlwind conclusion … rest of story at https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/wrestling/2021/04/the-kids-really-special-drexel-wrestler-luke-nichters-outlook-is-as-bright-as-ever-after-taking-lumps-at-ncaa-championships.html?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Former ACC Champion Brent Moore Transfers to Clarion
Brent Moore of Virginia Tech announced on Thursday via Twitter that he will be transferring to Clarion University, where he will join Head Coach, Keith Ferraro and Assistant Coach, Nathan Kraisser.
Moore was a standout wrestler at Virginia Tech, winning the ACC Championship tournament in 2018 at 141lbs, where he was also crowned the Most Valuable Wrestler. When asked to comment on his decision to transfer, Moore said, “I dropped out of Virginia Tech in February of 2020. I was dealing with depression, and not doing well mentally. I turned my back on wrestling completely, gained a bunch of weight, and ended up moving back home with my parents in Ohio. Once I was home for a few months, I started to do a little better. I was working for my dad’s construction company and started getting back into shape.” He then went on to say, “After going to the NCAAs to watch my brother Mitch wrestle for Oklahoma University, I decided to enter the transfer portal. Jesse Dellavecchia from Rider University was a huge inspiration to me because we had similar journey’s, and I knew I still had more gas left in the tank. Volunteer Assistant Coach Brock Zacherl and I have been working tirelessly for a few months to get another year of eligibility approved, which became official on Tuesday. It’s been extremely stressful, and I honestly didn’t think the NCAA was going to grant my appeal, but they did, and all of my coaches and I feel really good about it. I know they’re excited to have me join the Clarion Eagles, and I am too.” … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24644?mc_cid=08007c6b87&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Nittany Lion Wrestling Club has embraced newest members and reaped the benefits
It’s taken time, but Thomas Gilman is finally learning to love the sport of wrestling again.
It’s a sport that has been a part of Gilman’s life for much of it, one that he competes at an exceptionally high level at — but it’s also one that he was quickly becoming disillusioned with. That is, until he packed his bags and headed from one hallowed wrestling program to another. An Iowa native who went to high school in Omaha, Nebraska, and then journeyed back to Iowa for college, wrestling on big stages is nothing new for Gilman.
He’s competed at Big Ten, NCAA and World championships — all with success — and can now add the Olympic Trials to that list after beating Cornell’s Vito Arujau two matches to none in the finals of this year’s Olympic Trials. That means for the first time in his career, Gilman is an Olympian and will be the United States’ representative at 57 kilograms in Tokyo when the games commence in July. And he’ll have done it all under the tutelage of Cael Sanderson, someone whom Iowans — both Hawkeyes and Cyclones — know well from Sanderson’s days as a wrestler and coach at Iowa State and now as the coach at Penn State.
Sanderson also leads the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, a regional training center based out of the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex in State College that features many prominent former Nittany Lions, but also some relative outsiders, like Gilman who joined last March. “In my head, when I was coming to the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, it was for a lot of reasons, but the main reason was to get better at wrestling,” Gilman said. “I was at one place in my career and I needed to get to another place in my career if I wanted to accomplish my goals and that essentially was just getting better at sport wrestling and finding the love for the sport again.”
Gilman was a three-time All-American for the Hawkeyes and comes from a long line of successful 125-pounders to compete for Tom Brands in Iowa City. After one of Brands’ longtime assistants, Mark Perry, left Iowa and headed to Tempe to be a coach at Arizona State, Gilman was at a crossroads. He had to think, something he said his grandfather warned against doing too much of for fear that overthinking would get him into trouble. Still, it was something Gilman knew he had to do. Eventually, Gilman landed in State College, home to onetime former rival Penn State.
Gilman ingratiated himself and was embraced by his teammates and everyone else around the program quickly, and at a level even he found surprising. “I was an outsider — I was a nomad looking for a home,” Gilman said. “They’ve taken me in and done more for me than I could ever ask anybody to do for me. It’s just been amazing, not only with the guys on the team or coaches, but there’s the whole community.”
Part of what they’ve done — Sanderson in particular — for Gilman is reinforced and emphasized the value of being present in all aspects of life. As a result, you’re now likely to hear the words “us” and “Penn State” in the same sentence coming from a Hawkeye legend in Gilman. “It’s what he talks about every day — just have fun. It’s cliche, and it’s why I think a lot of people don’t like us here at Penn State,” Gilman said. “It’s because we’re having fun, and we’re just being present. It’s hard to have fun when you’re thinking about the future and you’re having anxiety or thinking about the past and you’re having depression. It’s about just being present.” …
Both Snyder and Maroulis joined Gilman on Team USA and punched their tickets to their second career Olympic games after winning their respective best-of-three series at this year’s Olympic Trials too. Snyder, hailing from Ohio State, was familiar with Penn State and all it had to offer. Snyder is the longest tenured new addition, coming to State College in the fall of 2019 after winning a bronze medal at that year’s World Championship. … rest of story at https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports/wrestling/nittany-lion-wrestling-club-has-embraced-newest-members-and-reaped-the-benefits/article_d2cb713c-966c-11eb-a083-576181065936.html?mc_cid=c3ca94c3de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Nittany Lion Wrestler Brady Berge to Graduate, Step Away From Competition
Two-time NCAA qualifier suffered tournament-ending injury at NCAAs two weeks ago
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Brady Berge (Mantorville, Minn.) has announced his intent to graduate and step away from competitive wrestling. The two-time NCAA qualifier missed most of last season and suffered a tournament-ending injury at this year’s NCAA Championships in St. Louis two weeks ago.
Berge qualified for the NCAA tournament as a redshirt freshman in 2019, going 2-2 in his first trip to nationals. After missing nearly all of last season, Berge returned to the line-up this year and entered the 2021 NCAA Championships as the No. 12 seed. Berge began his tournament with two impressive wins, a 12-4 major over No. 21 Andrew Cerniglia of Navy in the opening round and then a thrilling 3-2 victory over No. 5 Kaleb Young of Iowa in the second round. The win over Young advanced Berge to the NCAA quarterfinals where he met No. 4 Jesse Dellavecchia of Rider. Berge suffered an injury in the first period of that bout, was unable to continue and medically forfeited out of the tournament.
Berge announced his decision on his social media channels and said, in part, “Due to concussions and my own health, it is in my best interest to step away from competition. This is not an easy decision as I have had the goal of being a national champion since I can remember. I am not defined by my wins and losses. I am defined by my faith in God and the person he has guided me to become.” “I want to thank my coaches, my teammates and … rest of story at https://gopsusports.com/news/2021/4/7/wrestling-nittany-lion-wrestler-brady-berge-to-graduate-step-away-from-competition.aspx?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Penn State Wrestling Season-Ending Notes!
A final recap and seasonal archive for the 2020-21 Penn State wrestling season The following (and pdf linked to the right) is the final season-ending notes for the 2021 Penn State Wrestling season! Re-running the season’s last recap after our 4-0 run through the NCAA finals, adding up all the numbers and collecting everything we accomplished as one of the youngest teams competing at the 2021 NCAA Championships and throughout the abbreviated campaign!
The final recap follows immediately with the season’s notes after that…and the full pdf with updated qualifier bios, full dual/event recaps and stats available via the blue button-link to the right!
FINAL RECAP (3/20/21 – NCAA Finals)
ST. LOUIS, Mo.; March 20, 2021 –The Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 6-0 B1G), under the direction of head coach Cael Sanderson, added four more national champions to its growing list of title-holders at the 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championships. Penn State went a perfect 4-0 in the NCAA finals, with all four individuals winning their first individual crowns. The Nittany Lions qualified nine for this year’s tournament and the three-day event was held in the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Mo. Junior Roman Bravo-Young (Tucson, Ariz.), senior Nick Lee (Evansville, Ind.), freshman Carter Starocci (Erie, Pa.) and sophomore Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown, Md.) each won, marking the third time a Sanderson led Penn State team had four or more champions in one year.
Penn State now has 48 national champions in its long history, with 27 of them coming during Sanderson’s tenure as head coach. Penn State finished as NCAA national runner-up, trailing only first-place Iowa in the final team standings. In Sanderson’s 12 years, Penn State been NCAA Champion eight times, runner-up once (this year), and placed sixth and ninth in 11 total tournaments. … rest of story at https://gopsusports.com/news/2021/3/30/penn-state-wrestling-season-ending-notes.aspx?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – Penn State wrestling finds a perfect fit in Biglerville’s Levi Haines, a humble state champ who loves the grind
Biglerville’s Levi Haines has a fair explanation for why Penn State’s wrestling program has been nearly automatic in churning out champions. Haines has a better idea than most because he has the same motivations and a mentality for the sport where results are the furthest thing from his mind. Just like coach Cael Sanderson and some of the biggest names to have come through the Lions program, Haines has a real love for wrestling, but perhaps more importantly, the grind to excel at it. Haines isn’t driven by achievement because he knows glory doesn’t happen without competing against himself in practice and mastering the process.
That level of preparation has become a bigger and bigger part of who Haines is as a wrestler, and who he plans to be after committing to Penn State this week. Haines was Sanderson’s first verbal commitment in the 2022 recruiting class. “I think he’s definitely matured and he does a good job of keeping things in perspective,” Haines’ dad and high school coach, Ken Haines, said. “He doesn’t put too much emphasis on wins and losses and that kind of thing. He doesn’t let the sport define who he is.” … rest of story at https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/wrestling/2021/05/penn-state-wrestling-finds-a-perfect-fit-in-biglervilles-levi-haines-a-humble-state-champ-who-loves-the-grind.html?mc_cid=986c5e1566&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Mississippi Wrestling
TDR Editor’s Notes ; An interesting story about the status of wrestling in Mississippi and how it may develop in the future. While the past 16 months have been rough for all of the country it also resulted in turmoil in all sports and especially in wrestling. Enrollment and involvement in wrestling has declined due to many factors outside our control yet prospects for next year are good for a tremendous rebound in numbers for 2021-2022 seasons.
Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2931 (6/19/21)
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Did Mississippi Sanction High School Wrestling?
By Earl Smith, earl@intermatwrestle.com
Yesterday, news made the rounds of social media stating that Mississippi had finally sanctioned wrestling at the high school level. For boys, that would make it all 50 US states that currently sanction the sport. It sounds like a reason for celebration; however, it’s not entirely accurate.
Earlier today, I spoke with Lonnie Tillman, an Associate Director with the MHSAA (Mississippi High School Activities Association), Mississippi’s governing body. He was accommodating in answering my questions surrounding this news regarding high school wrestling in the state.
The MHSAA has already sanctioned wrestling, but to this date, they haven’t sponsored a state tournament or a postseason. Tillman says wrestling “has always been sanctioned by the MHSAA.” He was unable to estimate what “always” entails, but adds the program at Ocean Springs had been in operation for over a decade. The city sits on the Gulf and is located about 60 miles west of Mobile, Alabama and an equal distance east of the Louisiana border. The school will travel to both states to wrestle. The only other known program in Mississippi is the Mississippi School for the Blind, which is located in Jackson.
If you were to check out the MHSAA website, there is a tab for wrestling, along with other sanctioned sports; however, there’s no additional information.
After a meeting in early June, the organization has agreed to sponsor a statewide “Invitational” tournament. Tillman stressed that this is not a “true” state tournament and no state titles will be awarded by his organization. It’s unclear exactly how the tournament will run. Tillman estimates that it could have some form of a North vs. South theme. The invitational will take place during the 2021-22 school year.
Some other good news is that a girls state tournament will be offered, with the same caveats as above. Girls wrestling has not been sanctioned in Mississippi as per the information provided by Wrestle Like a Girl.
The Mississippi wrestling community has been told that they will need a third of the member schools to participate in wrestling for a true state championship to be held and awarded. Tillman has been told that at least 14 or 15 additional schools plan on fielding teams in the 2021-22 season. Currently, the state has about 240 high schools. That would require a total of 80 schools to pledge to offer the sport.
Multiple members of the MHSAA confided that facilities seem to be a considerable issue with starting the sport on a statewide basis. A significant percentage of schools in the state were built 30-40 years ago and with only one gymnasium. Aside from basketball; cheerleading, dance, and volleyball also fight for those spaces. While many high school wrestling teams face hurdles like these, … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24685
High School News (2021) – # 16 (Minn., Mich. & Wisc.)
TDR Editor’s Notes ; In this most unique of all seasons there has been a variety of schedules. Most states are done with their seasosn. North Carolina has the Regionals next week and then the State Tournament on June 26th. Thus the post season awards, announcements andother events are delayed. This collection of articles focuses on the wrestling teams in the northern tier the western Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Keep wrestling onward and upward. Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2930 (6/9/21)
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1 } – Frankenmuth wrestler Konner Roche ‘undefeated third-place finisher’ after controversial decision
Officially, there is no asterisk next to Konner Roche’s third-place finish in the wrestling state finals. But to Roche and Frankenmuth wrestling coach Skylar Ley, there is one huge asterisk next to that No. 3 and next to his 23-1 record. “Mentally, I’m good with what happened,” Roche said “But in my mind, I’m an undefeated third-place finisher in the state. Only time maybe that’s happened.” Roche was on his way to the 171-pound state-championship match in the Division 3 individual wrestling state finals Friday. He cruised through his matches into the semifinal and held a 2-0 lead in the first period. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2021/04/frankenmuth-wrestler-konner-roche-undefeated-third-place-finisher-after-controversial-decision.html?mc_cid=a167ed32cf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter Honors 11
On Saturday, April 24th, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter held their 19th annual banquet and ceremony and inducted nine new members and honored two from the 2020 class who have contributed significantly to Minnesota Wrestling and beyond. The celebration was held at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Austin, Minn. 250 people were in attendance, including many former Hall of Fame inductees. Ricky Ties Jr received the State Medal of Courage Award from Minnesota. Honorees for the Lifetime Service Award for 2021 were Dr. John Berg Jr, Clay Nagel, Charlie Peterson, Terry Sworsky, Jim Tanniehill, Steve Techam, Ken Vogt, and Jim Williams. 2020 inductees Larry Goodnature and Bill Schmidt gave their postponed acceptance speeches. State chapter inductees are permanently honored at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-minnesota-chapter-honors-11/?mc_cid=33a8cd508f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And … NWHOF MN Chapter Banquet Sold Out
Due to COVID-19 capacity limits for restaurants, registration for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Minnesota Chapter Banquet set for Saturday, April 24 in Austin is closed at this time. The possibility of a live stream is being looked into. A waiting list has been set up for people who mailed a registration form which was received after the capacity limit of 250 people was met. People that have previously registered but need to cancel are asked to contact Spencer Yohe spenceryohe@gmail.com, 320-766-1934 (Cell), 1-507-495-3213. More information about the banquet: NWHOF MN Chapter Banquet … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/nwhof-mn-chapter-banquet-sold-out/?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Q & A with New Owatonna High School Wrestling Coach
Read More: Q & A with New Owatonna High School Wrestling Coach | https://krforadio.com/q-a-with-new-owatonna-high-school-wrestling-coach/?mc_cid=73bee40328&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Derek Johnson grew up in a wrestling family. Get togethers frequently included some furniture rearranging to clear the way for a grudge match or two. His father was one of his coaching growing up. He was coached by Scot Davis, one of the most successful prep coaches in the country, and legendary Larry Hovden. All signs pointed toward Johnson getting into coaching. He was recently named as the new head varsity coach at Owatonna High School, pending school board approval. Johnson calls the Owatonna wrestling community one of the best in the country. He has already started some of the groundwork he feels is important heading into the summer wrestling season. Johnson has coached in the youth program for the last six years and was a high school assistant in 2014. He’s also excited to see that the Minnesota State High School League has expanded opportunities for girls wrestling with their own section and state tournament.
Read More: Q & A with New Owatonna High School Wrestling Coach | https://krforadio.com/q-a-with-new-owatonna-high-school-wrestling-coach/?mc_cid=73bee40328&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral … rest of story at https://krforadio.com/q-a-with-new-owatonna-high-school-wrestling-coach/?mc_cid=73bee40328&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – MWCA Recognizes Team Champions from the MSHSL Individual State Tournament
Since 2013, the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association has recognized the Team Champions from the MSHSL Individual State Tournament. The winning team and runner-up from each class (A, AA, and AAA) earns a trophy/plaque to display at their respective schools. This year the MWCA is proud to recognize Jackson County Central as the Class A Champion, Simley as the Class AA Champion, and St. Michael-Albertville as the Class AAA Champion. The top 10 teams per class are shared below.
2021 Class A Top 10
- Jackson County Central 72
- Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 62
- LPGE/Browerville 54 … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/mwca-recognizes-team-champions-from-the-mshsl-individual-state-tournament-2/?mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – MSHSL Releases New Sections For 2021-2022
The Minnesota State High School League has released new section assignments for 2021-2022. Previous and new section assignments for wrestling are listed below. More information about section assignments can be found at mshsl.org.
Class A Section 1
OLD
Caledonia/Houston
Chatfield High School
Dover-Eyota High School
Fillmore C/Lanesboro/M-C Wolves
Goodhue High School
GMLOS Bulldogs
St. Charles High School
Triton High School
Wabasha-Kellogg High School
Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School
NEW
Caledonia/Houston
Chatfield High School
Dover-Eyota High School
Fillmore C/Lanesboro/M-C Wolves … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/mshsl-releases-new-sections-for-2021-2022/?mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Davison community celebrates ‘remarkable feat’ by state wrestling champions
DAVISON, MI — Families and fans lined the road to celebrate the Davison wrestling team as the wrestlers walked in a parade on Monday, April 12 between Thompson Elementary School and Davison High School. The team accomplished many feats this season, including defeating Detroit Catholic Central to win its eighth Division 1 team championship and setting an MHSAA record with 14 wrestlers finishing among the top eight in their respective weight divisions to earn All-State honors. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2021/04/davison-community-celebrates-remarkable-feat-by-state-wrestling-champions.html?mc_cid=3018ac16e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Ravenna wrestling reached team state finals as club sport; now hopes to be school-sanctioned
By Scott DeCamp | sdecamp1@mlive.com
James English began laying the foundation for Ravenna wrestling in 2010 and the program returned as a club-sport varsity team one year later. One decade later, with young and energetic Cody Carpenter at the helm, the Bulldogs made history, still as a club team. They captured the school’s first-ever regional title and a berth in the Division 4 team state finals. Carpenter’s vision became reality. He believes in Ravenna and its youth, and he would like to see wrestling become a school-sanctioned sport. He’s hoping that those community members voting today, May 4, on a two-bond proposal feel the same way and give a “yes” nod, which could move wrestling and other club sports in the district under the umbrella of school-funded activities. “They vote May 4 to make us a school sport and remodel our wrestling room. I really hope that dream can become a reality like going to team state was,” Carpenter said. “When I got here (as an assistant in 2016), we had eight guys on the team. We have had over 20 the last two seasons. We’re growing, we’re getting better. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2021/05/ravenna-wrestling-reached-team-state-finals-as-club-sport-now-it-hopes-to-be-school-sanctioned.html?mc_cid=2f6eda67bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Cardinal named Mr. Minnesota Wrestling
Forest Lake senior Derrick Cardinal was named Minnesota’s Mr. Wrestling by the state’s wrestling coaches association. The state association has presented the award since 1990 to the wrestler who “best exemplifies the highest ideals of high school wrestling,” with judging based on past performance, citizenship, academics, leadership and adherence to MSHSL rules. Cardinal is a four-time state champion who has posted a 240-30 record during his high school career, collecting 109 pins along the way. The South Dakota State signee also is a two-time academic all-state performer with a 3.967 cumulative GPA. … rest of story at https://www.hometownsource.com/forest_lake_times/cardinal-named-mr-minnesota-wrestling/article_77a55f98-be49-11eb-b322-0760b42cd892.html?mc_cid=22b0f00134&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Cardinal named MWCA Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling
Joseph and Vaith named MWCA Coaches of the Year
Derrick Cardinal of Forest Lake is this year’s Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling. The MWCA annually presents the Mr. Minnesota High School Wrestler award to the senior that best exemplifies the highest ideals of high school wrestling in Minnesota. Judging is based on past performances, citizenship, academics, leadership, and adherence to MSHSL rules. Cardinal, who attends Forest Lake High School, is a four-time state champion and five-time placewinner. He capped his high school career with the Class AAA 132-pound state title last month. Cardinal won a prestigious Minnesota Christmas Tournament title in 2019. He leaves behind a 240-30 high school career record, including 109 pins. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/cardinal-named-mwca-mr-minnesota-of-wrestling/?mc_cid=5c73249ed8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&doing_wp_cron=1619446410.8305981159210205078125
10 } – Former Michigan All-American Matt Brink ‘retiring’ from wrestling, including as Reeths-Puffer coach
By Scott DeCamp | sdecamp1@mlive.com
MUSKEGON – Thirty-four of Matt Brink’s 42 years of life have been devoted to wrestling. Many of his first 15 years in the sport were spent as a dominant heavyweight at Fruitport High School and University of Michigan. The last 19 years, he’s been coaching at Reeths-Puffer High School, 15 as the highly successful leader of the Rockets program. The time has come to move on. On Monday, Brink resigned as Reeths-Puffer’s head wrestling coach. The Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Famer prefers to phrase it as “retiring.” “I have a young family,” said Brink, who with wife Holly has a 3-year-old daughter, Lola, and son named Knox who is turning a year old. “That was a big reason. I wanted to spend time with them, as much time as I can with them.” Reeths-Puffer athletic director Tony Schmitt said that the coaching position will be posted and a hiring committee formed. He said he’s not sure on the timing, but it will not be long. Brink will be a tough coach to replace. He commanded much respect and his resume speaks for itself. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2021/04/muskegon-area-hall-of-famer-matt-brink-retiring-from-wrestling-including-as-reeths-puffer-coach.html?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Merrill wrestling students run to remember late coach
MERRILL, Wis. (WAOW) — Merrill students gathered today to honor their late coach’s memory. The wrestling students ranging from elementary to high school met at Blue Jay Stadium, decked out in Merrill Wrestling apparel, to run 46 laps around the track representing Coach Jered Severt’s 46 years of life. Severt died recently when a tractor he was operating tipped over and pinned him underneath. “He put a lot in the team, he did a lot for us, we figured we would do something for him,” Wrestler and Run Organizer, Tristan Brewington said. Those that chose not to run, walked and others participated by … rest of story at https://waow.com/2021/04/25/merrill-wrestling-students-run-to-remember-late-coach/?mc_cid=33a8cd508f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – Wrestler has WIAA state title vacated 28 months after winning it
RACINE — Last week, one Racine County Circuit Court judge overruled a 2019 injunction issued by one of his now-retired colleagues. That injunction had allowed a high school wrestler, Hayden Halter, who would otherwise have been suspended, to continue competing for what became his second state championship. Following last week’s decision, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association vacated Halter’s 2019 state title 28 months months after he won it.
Implications It’s a case that had eyes on it from around the state, considering the precedent it could set for allowing student-athletes, coaches and schools’ athletic programs to seek reprieve in the courts for any perceived mistake made by a sports official. … rest of story at https://journaltimes.com/news/local/wrestler-has-wiaa-state-title-vacated-28-months-after-winning-it/article_7de3bf04-a3f3-53b7-b79f-b26bbb166d4e.html?mc_cid=7074fa6854&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 22 {A.C.C.}
TDR Editor’s Notes ; A review of some of the awards, activities and plans of wrestling teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference. We welcome questions, news, suggestions and input. Keep on Wrestling. Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog #2929 (6/8/21)
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1 } – {Virginia} Mueller Eager to Contribute in New Role
By Jeff White (jwhite@virginia.edu) VirginiaSports.com
CHARLOTTESVILLE –– After nine months of intense training, former University of Virginia wrestler Jack Mueller came close to qualifying for last month’s U.S. Olympic Trials. But his dream ended in late March at the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier in Fort Worth, Texas, where two other wrestlers advanced in the 57-kilogram class. “It was heartbreaking,” Virginia head coach Steve Garland said. For now, at least, Mueller has paused his competitive career, but he’s still involved in the sport to which he’s devoted much of his life. He’s back at his alma mater as a volunteer assistant coach. His home away from home is once again Memorial Gymnasium, where Mueller works alongside Garland, associate head coach Travis Paulson and assistant coach Trent Paulson. “As great a competitor as he was, I think he’s going to be a better coach,” Garland said. “I think he can be that good at it.” Mueller, who graduated from UVA last year with … rest of story at https://virginiasports.com/news/2021/05/06/mueller-eager-to-contribute-in-new-role/?mc_cid=1c5f62dded&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – {Virginia Tech} Hokies sweep VaSID awards
Five Hokies named to All-State First Team FERRUM, Va. – Virginia Tech wrestling swept the three annual Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) awards Thursday and placed five wrestlers on the All-State First Team.
Korbin Myers won Wrestler of the Year, Sam Latona was named Rookie of the Year and head coach Tony Robie earned Coach of the Year honors for the fourth time in the last five seasons. This is the fourth straight year that a Hokie was named VaSID Wrestler of the Year and third year out of the last four that the VaSID Rookie of the Year resides in Blacksburg.
Myers, a graduate student, was named Wrestler of the Year after his breakthrough performance at the 2021 NCAA Championships. In his fourth year qualifying for NCAAs, Myers earned All-America honors for the first time in his career with his fourth-place finish at 133 pounds. The Carlisle, Pennsylvania native was named the ACC Championship’s Most Outstanding Wrestler after he won his first ACC title.
Already having earned ACC Freshman of the Year honors, Latona has been named VaSID Rookie of the Year after a debut season that saw the Alabama native go 14-3 and place sixth in his first NCAA Championships. Latona won his first ACC Championship and took an undefeated record with him to St. Louis. It was a historic regular season for Robie and the Hokies as they went 9-0, … rest of story at https://hokiesports.com/news/2021/5/6/wrestling-hokies-sweep-vasid-awards.aspx?mc_cid=987a3385bf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Pitt’s Wentzel Leads All-ACC Academic Wrestling Team
GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – National finalist Jake Wentzel of Pitt has been named the 2020-21 Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year and headlines the sport’s All-ACC Academic Team announced by the league on Wednesday. Wentzel, a two-time ACC champion at 165 pounds, took the silver medal at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis and finished the season with a 13-2 overall record. The South Park, Pennsylvania, native has already earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and is now studying in Pitt’s Katz Graduate School of Business, where he posted a 3.7 GPA in the fall.
Wentzel recently announced that he plans to return to the Panthers for the 2021-22 season, following the NCAA’s decision to award student-athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is a three-time member of the All-ACC Academic Wrestling Team and has earned ACC Honor Roll status four times.
Repeat selections on this year’s All-ACC Wrestling Academic Team include NC State’s Hayden Hidlay and Daniel Bullard, and Virginia’s Louie Hayes, who were each recognized for the fourth time. Bullard and Hidlay are among a league-leading six wrestlers from the ACC Champion Wolfpack that earned All-ACC Academic Team honors. Virginia followed with five selections.
This year’s All-ACC Academic Wrestling Team includes eight All-Americans, 20 NCAA qualifiers and student-athletes who earned a combined eight ACC Wrestler of the Week honors.
… rest of story at https://theacc.com/news/2021/4/14/athlete-awards-pitts-wentzel-leads-all-acc-academic-wrestling-team.aspx?mc_cid=41e05ef71b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – UVA Wrestlers Master Rigorous Academic and Athletic Schedule
The University of Virginia has earned the reputation of being one of the top academic institutions in the country and head coach Steve Garland wants his athletes to make the most of their time on Grounds. Coach Garland has designed the program around six pillars: Mind, Body, Relationships, Compete in Such a Way, Servanthood and Academics. However, at a school like UVA, academics are always at the forefront and Garland has high expectations in the classroom and on the mat. “As a program, we want our wrestlers to have the opportunity to not just graduate from the University of Virginia with one degree, but also to finish their Master’s degree at some of the top grad schools in the nation.” As a UVA grad, Garland has a unique perspective of the requirements of his wrestlers. Because UVA requires that students complete their degree in four years, those that choose to wrestle their fifth year have the opportunity to complete a graduate program. Garland credits his experience as a student-athlete with his focus as a coach. “When I was in my fifth year, I was in the continuing education program and didn’t complete my masters–it is one of my biggest regrets from my time competing. I don’t want them to make that same mistake”. That focus has led to multiple wrestlers leaving Grounds with a Master’s Degree since Garland took over in 2006. Louie Hayes, a redshirt senior from Illinois, earned All-American honors this season, finishing in eighth place in St. Louis. Louie will be the first to tell you that he wasn’t the best student before coming to Charlottesville. Coach Garland took a chance because he saw both the academic and athletic potential in Hayes. “During the recruiting process, Coach worked with me to lay out a five-year plan; I knew when I got to Charlottesville that I would be leaving with my master’s.” Hayes finished his Bachelor’s last year … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24519?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – General McLane wrestler Jackson Spires headed to Division I Virginia Tech
Jackson Spires spent last week on spring break. The General McLane senior and his family, as they’ve done several times in the past, used that time to cast for tarpon and other aquatic game off the coast of Key West, Florida. Spires, though, was himself reeled in that same week. The middleweight for the Lancers’ wrestling team confirmed he’ll resume his career on the mat for Virginia Tech. The Division I Hokies are coached by Strong Vincent graduate Tony Robie. “It’s very exciting because I’ve put a lot of work into this sport,” Spires said. “Things haven’t gone my way a lot of times so I’m happy to get this chance (to compete) at the next level, and especially for coach Robie. Plus Virginia Tech is a really great school, so I’m getting a two-for-one deal.” Robie, who wrestled for Edinboro University in the mid-1990s, joined Virginia Tech’s wrestling staff in 2006. The former Colonel and Fighting Scot was promoted to head coach in 2017. Ryan Cook, McLane’s wrestling coach, has known Robie for years. … rest of story at https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2021/04/19/ncaa-wrestling-virginia-tech-general-mclane-jackson-spires-headed-division-hokies-recruiting/7269290002/?mc_cid=5c73249ed8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Tony Robie – Virginia Tech Head Coach, 2x All American
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Tony Robie is the head wrestling coach at Virginia Tech. Prior to being named the head coach in 2017, Tony was an associate head coach under Kevin Dresser. As a wrestler, Tony competed for Bruce Baumgartner at Edinboro University. He was a 2x All American, taking second in 1997 to Iowa’s Joe Williams. Please enjoy! (Picture: Tony Rotundo) Connect with Tony -Twitter & Instagram: @ROBIEwrestling -Tony’s wrestling camps: RobieWrestling.Com … rest of story at https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/231-tony-robie-virginia-tech-head-coach-2x-all-american/?mc_cid=a0d7657398&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Myers to return for final season
Reigning ACC Most Outstanding Wrestler to come back to Tech
BLACKSBURG – Thursday turned out to be a big day for Virginia Tech wrestling, as Korbin Myers announced he will return for his final year of eligibility. Due to Covid-19 implications during the 2019-20 academic year, student-athletes have been awarded an additional year of eligibility and Myers, who is working on his master’s degree, will come back to Tech for another year. The reigning ACC Most Outstanding Wrestler seeks to qualify for NCAAs for five years in a row, following his impressive four-year stretch, in hopes of winning a national title. This past season, Myers turned in another stellar year, placing fourth at NCAAs in St. Louis after winning ACCs at 133 in Raleigh. On the year, he went 12-2 overall, including a perfect 6-0 record in duals. … rest of story at https://hokiesports.com/news/2021/4/8/wrestling-myers-to-return-for-final-season.aspx?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Austin O’Connor plans move to 157 pounds, ‘praying’ for Shane Griffith to transfer
Austin O’Connor captured North Carolina’s first individual wrestling national championship since 1995 when he took out Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso 3-2 at the 2021 NCAA Wrestling Championships in March. O’Connor finished the COVID-19 shortened season 13-0 and atop the 149 pound weight class. Moving forward, O’Connor won’t be staying at the weight as he said he doesn’t want the stress of cutting too much weight. The plan for 2021-22? Move up in weight. Speaking on the Baschamania Podcast with Justin Basch and Vincenzo Joseph, O’Connor revealed his plans for next year and the hope of another national champion possibly transferring to the school. “No, I’m definitely going up to 157,” O’Connor said. “Two reasons, last year I was cutting a good bit of weight every week. Also not knowing due to COVID when we were going to compete so my weight would fluctuate a lot. I would get up to 10, 15 pounds over sometimes and it’s just not something I want to do next year. I want to enjoy my time wrestling and not worry about the weight cut. Also we got some kids coming in. We got a kid from Canada coming in here, Lachlan McNeil, he went to Wyoming Seminary. Kid is really good, he’s already competing against me and (Zach) Sherman in our room. I think he’s going to do big things for the team. “Hopefully we can get Sherman to go up then, have him at 149 and me at 157. Hopefully we have some other big things in the works that we’ll get. I think our team is going to be pretty stacked next year. “(As far as things coming), we’re praying for Shane (Griffith) to come here. If we got Shane, I think, we got Clay Lautt, … rest of story at https://247sports.com/college/toledo/Article/Austin-OConnor-move-157-pounds-North-Carolina-wrestling-praying-Shane-Griffith-transfer-Stanford-national-champion-NCAA-165754964/?mc_cid=4a470838b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – #43 Overall Junior Mac Stout to Pittsburgh
Tonight, the Pittsburgh Panthers received an important commitment from the #43 overall wrestler in the Class of 2022, Mac Stout (Mt. Lebanon, PA). Stout, a 2020 PIAA AAA state runner-up, did not compete in the 2021 postseason after suffering an injury at the Powerade Tournament. Stout will follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Kellan, who was a 2019 national qualifier for the Panthers at 197 lbs. Mac projects at the same weight class, as well. They also have a brother, Luke, that is set to compete at 197 lbs for Princeton. Mac’s 2020 state finals appearance came in a 170lb weight class that was likely the deepest of any bracket in any state that year. In the semifinals, Stout scored a win over the returning state champion, Trey Kibe (Mifflin County), a 2021 Virginia Tech signee. On a national scale, Stout was a 16U National freestyle finalist in Fargo during the summer of 2019. He is also a three-time placewinner at the Powerade (7th, 4th, 6th). The sixth-place finish occurred at the 2021 tournament when Stout was injured in the consolation semifinals. Stout is the third member of the Class of 2022 to give a verbal commitment to Keith Gavin’s team. #120 Jared Kesler (Connellsville, PA) and Briar Priest (Hempfield, PA) have also pledged to the Panthers. As mentioned in our Class of 2022 recruiting feature, Keslar and Priest, … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24617?mc_cid=986c5e1566&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Wolfpack Wrestling Club Sends Pair to Poland Open
Gwiazdowski & Macchiavello to compete in freestyle action
RALEIGH, N.C. – A pair of former NC State Wrestling national champions, Michael Macchiavello (97 kg) and Nick Gwiazdowski (125 kg), will be in action this week representing USA Wrestling at the Poland Open. The 2021 Poland Open currently has 30 Olympians entered and will be the last major international competition before the Olympics in August. Some countries are using it to determine their final spots on their Olympic Team. Freestyle action for their two weights will take place June 8-9 in Warsaw, and the action will be streamed on FloWrestling. … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/6/7/wolfpack-wrestling-club-sends-pair-to-poland-open.aspx
11 } – {Duke} -Athletics Venues Return to Full Capacity in 2021-22
DURHAM — Duke Athletics announced Tuesday that venues will return to full capacity during the upcoming academic year. The announcement was made in conjunction with the sale of football season tickets for the 2021 season. Should state, local or campus regulations related to capacity, distancing and masking change prior to or during the season, operational policies at each venue could be altered. Those changes would be communicated via GoDuke.com and teams’ social media accounts. Duke University encourages all fans to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending events on campus. The 2021 football schedule and ticket information have been announced. Schedules and ticket information for other Duke teams will be communicated at later dates. … rest of story at https://goduke.com/news/2021/6/8/duke-athletics-returning-to-full-capacity-in-2021-22.aspx
12 } – CAROLINA WRESTLING ANNOUNCES 2021 BANQUET AWARDS
Carolina Wrestling held its 2020-21 Awards Banquet this weekend in Chapel Hill, honoring its graduating seniors and celebrating the successes of the past season, including Austin O’Connor’s national championship at 149 pounds.
Among the honors was the presentation of the Thomas A. Gorry Most Dedicated Wrestler award, which was given to senior Sawyer Davidson. The award is given to the student-athlete who the coaching staff believes embodies “Tar Heel hard work”. Past recipients of the award are Jaime Hernandez and Nick Lirette. O’Connor was provided with the Most Outstanding Wrestler award, as well as recognized for winning ACC Wrestler of the Year.
The full list of team awards: … rest of story at https://goheels.com/news/2021/5/25/carolina-wrestling-announces-2021-banquet-awards.aspx?mc_cid=4a470838b6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
International Wrestling News (2021) – # 8
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Storiesof wrestlers competing and preparing for competition in the Olympic styles of wrestling are included below. Keep wrestling on in many styles. Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Scholastic and others. Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2929 (6/7/21)
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1 } – Wrestling breakdown: How Jordan Oliver shut down Joey McKenna to win the US Olympic Trials
After so many years of just missing his goals, native Pennsylvanian and Oklahoma State great Jordan Oliver has reached the top of the domestic ladder in the US. He has one more hurdle ahead of him if he wants to go to Tokyo..
A two-time NCAA champion and three-time NCAA finalist, Easton’s Jordan Oliver was expected to rise to the top of the domestic freestyle rankings in the US in short order. Sure enough, in his first official season as a senior level freestyler, Oliver placed third at the 2013 World Team Trials to make his first national team. However, until 2015, Iowa’s Brent Metcalf was “the guy” at 65 kg. He was extremely dominant domestically, but struggled to produce at the World Championships when the stakes were the highest. It was frustrating for American wrestling fans – especially considering he was able to knock off high-level foreign opposition at lesser events. … rest of story at https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2021/4/16/22385584/wrestling-breakdown-how-jordan-oliver-shut-down-joey-mckenna-win-us-olympic-trials?mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Tokyo Olympics: 10 positive Covid-19 cases detected; WFI shuts Olympic camps
Tokyo Olympics: 10 positive Covid-19 cases detected; WFI shuts Olympic camps- With as many as 10 people, including three women wrestlers testing positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday at the national women’s wrestling camp, it has forced Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to shut Olympic preparatory camps at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centres in Sonepat and Lucknow
… rest of story at https://www.insidesport.co/tokyo-olympics-10-positive-covid-19-cases-detected-wfi-shuts-olympic-camps/?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Here Is The Best Int’l Match Of The Year So Far
The response might be, Really? The best? And should the inner dialogue in the minds of readers posit such questions, then it is only fair that they receive an answer:
Yes — Savolainen over Kakhelashvili is the best international Greco-Roman match of the year as we sit here less than 100 days away from the Olympics. Thus, the correct course of action isn’t to debate, deflect, or offer other possible replacements. Are there other bouts worthy of entering the argument? Of course. But the problem is that, unanimously, they fail to meet all of the standards necessary to cut the line in front of this one. … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/greco-wrestling-news/savolainen-kakhelashvili-euro-qualifier/?mc_cid=82e9baddf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – ‘I’m definitely going to get that’: Vaccines not required, most USOPC athletes still eager for shots
During the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, Naya Tapper admitted that she held doubts regarding a vaccine against infection. “For me,” she said, “it came down to if I really needed it, like if my immune system was strong enough on its own.” Tapper, a 26-year-old wing on the U.S. women’s rugby sevens squad, ended up contracting the virus. “So after that, I was like, ‘OK, I definitely don’t want that to happen while I’m at the Olympics, so I’m definitely going to get that,’” she said last week during the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee virtual media summit.
GO FOR GOLD:And stay up to date on Tokyo Olympics with our newsletter
The USOPC is not mandating the vaccine for its athletes or members of the delegation, although leaders maintained that the governing body strongly encourages athletes be vaccinated prior to the Games — Wednesday marked 100 days until the opening ceremony — … rest of story at https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2021/04/14/tokyo-olympics-vaccines-team-usa/7202440002/?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – The college careers of the 2021 US Olympic wrestlers
The 2021 U.S. Olympic wrestling team is one of the most star-studded groups to ever represent the country on the international stage. The lineup includes Olympic champions, world champions, NCAA champions, WCWA champions and future stars. Here’s what these individuals accomplished at the collegiate level and how those experiences shaped them into the Olympians they are now.
MEN’S FREESTYLE
57kg: Thomas Gilman, University of Iowa … rest of story at https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2021-05-10/college-careers-2021-us-olympic-wrestlers?mc_cid=d92d6a4129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6) – Olympics tells ‘Post’ it will assess alleged Iran bias vs. Israel
The International Olympic Committee will examine allegations about Iranian-sponsored discrimination against Israeli athletes in response to a public letter authored by elite Iranian athletes who urged IOC action against Tehran.“The IOC takes note of the letter and continues to evaluate the alleged issues,” the IOC press office wrote the Post. Sardar Pashaei, former head coach of Iran’s Greco-Roman wrestling team and signee of the letter to the IOC, told the Post that “The IOC should tell us whether not being allowed to compete with Israeli athletes and the systematic gender and racial discrimination of athletes in Iran is against Olympic ideals. Keeping the Olympic charter in mind should guide their decisions and actions. …. rest of story at https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/olympics-tells-post-it-will-asses-alleged-iran-bias-vs-israel-665902?mc_cid=d92d6a4129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – ‘Fort Greco’ With Army Coach Spenser Mango — April ’21
Another US Trials. An Olympic Trials, at that. And Army’s World Class Athletes Program has two card-carrying Olympians and altogether seven National Team members across six weight categories. Not bad. All of this sets the tone for the latest edition of Fort Greco featuring Army assistant Spenser Mango, whose squad had entered the postponed Olympic Trials without the benefit of a relevant competitive sample size. Only one Trials-qualified athlete was able to “get matches” prior to the goings-on in Fort Worth, eventual 60 kilogram champ Ildar Hafizov. The lack of action did not prove too detrimental, as indicated by Army’s overall team performance. Mango provides perspectives on each key run … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/army-wcap/mango-post-trials-pre-nationals/?mc_cid=82e9baddf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Olympic wrestler Bracken pays it forward
A new mentoring program helps competitors prepare for the world’s biggest sports stage
Thelma Grimes tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Taking his experiences as an Olympic wrestler and paying it forward, Kevin Bracken is serving as a mentor to the young wrestlers who have recently qualified to represent the U.S. in the summer Olympics in Japan. Currently, Bracken is the head coach of the Olympian Wrestling program in Castle Rock. In preparation of the summer Olympics, he will be participating in a brand-new mentoring program aimed at helping qualifying wrestlers be prepared for not only action on the matts but strengthening their mental focus to handle the intense pressure of competing on a world stage.
Bracken is no stranger to the world’s largest sports stage. While many know Bracken as the mayor pro tem on the Castle Rock Town Council, he was a top competitor in wrestling for many years. Bracken, an American Greco-Roman wrestler, competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics where he finished in sixth place. In 1992, he was a third alternate. In 1996, he worked up to earn the first alternate position.
In college, Bracken wrestled for Illinois State University before the school eliminated its wrestling program during his final year. Bracken holds the record for the most career wins in the school’s history with 127. In 2005, he was inducted into the Illinois State University hall of fame. Bracken, 49, said he has been wrestling since seventh grade. He not only knows the stress that goes into preparing for competition but understands the distractions everyday life can bring to the matt, which can cause a competitor to have a bad match on an important day. … rest of story at https://douglascountynewspress.net/stories/olympic-wrestler-bracken-pays-it-forward,375463?mc_cid=1a96ae13a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – EDITORIAL: Navigating The Uncomfortable
Hardly uncharted waters in the sport of wrestling, particularly in these United States of America, are contested outcomes. On-the-mat results giving way to legal or procedural disputes is practically a tradition. The ledger in this country, it’s a long one. Well-known wrestlers claiming incorrect match governance, or ineptitude, or plain wrongdoing, has become…commonplace over the past few decades. No one blinks an eye with regard to these situations. And if they ever did, they don’t anymore. But this one feels different around here, as it should. Not counting questions asked during interviews, pieces in our Christian Faith category penned by contributors, and various other inquisitive material, articles released on this platform are constructed in a third-person narrative. The word “I” is not used, because “pros don’t use prose”, something like that. Five Point Move is not a blog; it is not operated like one, nor is it seen like one. As such, there is a purposeful abandonment of first-person language and opinion-laden content. That does not mean articles and recaps are unanimously bereft of angles, … rest of story at https://fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/editorial-stefanowicz-rau/?mc_cid=d92d6a4129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – ‘Marquette Matters’ With NMU Head Coach Andy Bisek — April ’21
The Greco-Roman program at Northern Michigan University has its first Olympic Team member since 2008, a new National Team member, a surging middleweight who has rediscovered his groove, and a head coach who is proud but ever-pragmatic as this unusual wrestling season continues moving forward. In this latest edition of Marquette Matters — and only the second installment of the 2020-21 campaign — NMU head coach Andrew Thomas Bisek has much more to discuss than he did during the fall. The opening item on the agenda shouldn’t be a surprise, it’s Jesse Porter (77 kg), who prevailed in the Olympic Trials final following a two-match sweep of Peyton Walsh (Marines). Porter’s overall Trials performance is overviewed, as well as one particular detail pertaining involving the raucous ending to Match 2 of that series. Then it is onto “Mr. Fantastic” Benji Peak (67 kg). Peak finished third in Fort Worth, grabbing National Team honors, and also … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/northern-michigan-university-greco-roman/bisek-post-olympic-trials/?mc_cid=a0d7657398&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – 21ST MACCABIAH GAMES WRESTLING TRIALS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 17 IN PHILADELPHIA AREA
Maccabi USA, the sponsor for American participation in the World Maccabiah Games is proud to announce that the trials for the 21st World Maccabiah Games wrestling team are scheduled for Sunday, October 17, 2021 in the Philadelphia area. A specific location for the event will be determined shortly. The 21st World Maccabiah Games will be held in Israel in July, 2022, bringing together Jewish athletes from around the globe to compete in the world’s third largest multi-sport event. The USA wrestling team will be led by Head Coach Nate Engel, an assistant coach at Oregon State University and aided by Assistant Coach Rob Prebish, assistant coach at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, VA. Engel, a four-time World Maccabiah Games medalist, earning … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/23/Maccabiah-Games-Trials-set-for-October-17?mc_cid=391a23a860&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – ‘First To Fight’ With All-Marine Head Coach Jason Loukides — April ’21
It had been building throughout the quad. Perhaps longer, if you’re willing to retrace the steps. The All-Marine Wrestling Team, led by head coach Jason Loukides, has their first Olympic Team member in over three decades, as well as an intact roster comprised of top-tier servicemember athletes who plan on aiding the program in gaining even more steam heading into 2024. This is life at Camp Lejeune under Loukides — the highly-respected coach who shudders and shrugs when complimented, instead opting to joyously deflect attention back towards his wrestlers at every available opportunity. … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/all-marine-wrestling/loukides-post-olympic-trials/?mc_cid=391a23a860&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 21 {Big 12}
TDR Editor’s Notes ; The Big 12 wrestling conference has grown and expanded over awide area of the middle of the country. The following is some news from those teams. Keep Wrestling On!
{Imagine this – Next week will be the RegionalTournaments in North Carolina and schools are out for the summer.} Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2926 (6/6/21)
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1 } – Schwab Inks Contract Extension
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI Director of Athletics David Harris has announced the signing of a contract extension for head wrestling coach Doug Schwab through the 2027-28 season.
“Doug has consistently and impressively improved the UNI Wrestling program during his 11-year tenure and has built a team that is among the best in the Big 12 and in the NCAA,” Harris said. “Along with his continued success on the mat, he, Allyson and their family have ingrained themselves into the Cedar Valley and the UNI community. We are thrilled to continue to have coach Schwab lead our program into the future.”
Schwab, the 2020 Big 12 Coach of the Year, has had 60 NCAA qualifiers and 17 All-Americans during his tenure. He has a dual record of 90-58. The Panthers have finished in the top three at the Big-12 championship and have had two champions in three of the last four seasons. The Panthers have had at least one All-American for each of the last eight seasons. “I am excited for the opportunity to continue to build this program and move it forward,” Schwab said. “We love our team and our community. UNI is home. We have a lot left that we want to achieve and there is no place I would rather do it than UNI. Our family has a great support system here and we are excited for the future.” … rest of story at https://unipanthers.com/news/2021/5/11/wrestling-schwab-inks-contract-extension.aspx?mc_cid=ce60503c93&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Iowa State wrestling adds heavyweight transfer
(Ames) — Iowa State wrestling has picked up a commitment from Buffalo transfer Sam Schuyler. Schuyler will join the Cyclones with two years of eligibility and brings a 33-23 career record to Ames. The heavyweight qualified for the 2021 NCAA Championships as an at-large bid. Schuyler chose Iowa State over other interest from Michigan State, Rutgers and Purdue. … rest of story at https://www.kmaland.com/sports/iowa-state-wrestling-adds-heavyweight-transfer/article_2c545e6a-b81b-11eb-8cdb-ff25abc0355d.html?mc_cid=ad9587b873&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – OSU Wrestling: Jakason Burks Enters Transfer Portal
Burks went 6-2 as a true freshman this season and was the starter for one of the Bedlam duals at 141 pounds, up a few weights from where he was most of the season. Burks was the No. 15 recruit in his class at the time of his commitment. He was a multiple-time Fargo finalist and state champion in Nebraska. He competed at 125 for the majority of the season but started at 141 for the Bedlam dual in Stillwater. The Cowboys seem to be in a good spot at 125 with Trevor Mastrogiovanni, who started this past season as a true freshman. … rest of story at https://pistolsfiringblog.com/osu-wrestling-jakason-burks-enters-transfer-portal/?mc_cid=ce60503c93&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Gallagher-Iba Arena Student Section Expanded to Include Sideline Seats
GIA should be even rowdier next school year. Now that Oklahoma State can fill it up, OSU brass is taking steps to bring back the rowdy to Gallagher-Iba Arena this fall. With Oklahoma State athletic venues now back to full capacity, the administration made the decision to up the ante for winter sports, expanding the student section to the floor seats on the west side of the arena. This will put OSU student’s on three sides of the floor from sections 104-112, “to make GIA as loud as possible.” Of course for this to work, OSU needs students to show up in droves for men’s and women’s basketball and wrestling. But coming off of the limited attendance caused by COVID-19 last year and with some highly anticipated teams calling GIA home — Bryce Thompson will get the welcome Cade Cunningham deserved — the hope is that students won’t need any more incentive to show up and get loud. … rest of story at https://pistolsfiringblog.com/gallagher-iba-arena-student-section-expanded-to-include-sideline-seats/?mc_cid=ad9587b873&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – JASON CHAMBERLAIN JOINS UTAH VALLEY WRESTLING COACHING STAFF
A TWO-TIME ALL-AMERICAN WRESTLER FOR BOISE STATE AND A FOUR-TIME UTAH STATE CHAMPION AT SPRINGVILLE HS, CHAMBERLAIN COMES TO UVU AFTER SPENDING THE LAST FIVE YEARS AS AN ASSISTANT COACH AT FRESNO STATE.
OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University head wrestling coach Greg Williams has announced the hiring of two-time collegiate All-American and four-time Utah State Champion wrestler Jason Chamberlain to his coaching staff.
Chamberlain, who comes to UVU after spending the last five years as an assistant coach at Fresno State and originally hails from Springville, Utah, will serve as the team’s volunteer assistant. He will begin in June, as his first year on staff will be the 2021-22 season.
“Jason is a great addition to our staff. He brings a wealth of experience into the program,” Williams said. “Having been mentored by top level coaches at Boise State in college and at Nebraska’s RTC while competing internationally, he will be able to bring in some philosophical and technical variety to an already diverse staff.
“He now has a few years of college coaching under his belt, and after talking to him recently about his experiences coaching college wrestlers, it is apparent that his goals to run a successful program align with our own. He will also attract top wrestlers from the western states and particularly in Utah, having built up a reputation of success as a competitor and a coach. We are excited to have Jason join our Wolverine family.” A four-time Utah State Champion at nearby Springville High School, … rest of story at https://gouvu.com/news/2021/4/28/wrestling-jason-chamberlain-joins-utah-valley-wrestling-coach-staff.aspx?mc_cid=db281dc0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Takeaways: Carr takes home first NCAA title 40 years after his dad’s first
40 years after his father Nate won his first of three NCAA Championships, David Carr has won his first after defeating Rider’s Jesse Dellavecchia 4-0 in the finals Saturday in the 2021 NCAA Championships at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. Carr’s 4-0 win over Dellavecchia in the NCAA Championship match at 157 pounds capped off a dominant week and a dominant season by the redshirt sophomore. One of the things Carr said got him through the tournament was his faith. “I just want to say all glory to God, and without Him, I couldn’t do it,” Carr said. “Like I’ve been saying, I walk by faith, not by sight. Jesus got me through this whole tournament, and I put my faith in him.” He and redshirt senior Gannon Gremmel led Iowa State to its best finish at the NCAA Championships in the last four championships.
Carr’s first title win comes 40 years after his dad’s first
With his family, including his dad, in attendance, Carr accomplished what he previously said was a childhood dream of his: winning an NCAA title. He did it in a unique setting with limited fan attendance due to COVID-19 protocols, … rest of story at https://www.iowastatedaily.com/sports/iowa-state-cyclones-david-carr-wrestling-kevin-dresser-brent-metcalf-2021-ncaa-championships-gannon-gremmel-ian-parker-sam-colbray-marcus-coleman-kysen-terukina-jarrett-degen-zach-redding-2021-ncaa-championships-nate-carr/article_9ae4a3aa-8a56-11eb-8170-b7ed37059b39.html?mc_cid=7490ba8a46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Mizzou Wrestling Program Returns To Big 12 Conference
Tigers to Compete In Big 12 Starting With 2021-22 Season
Columbia, Mo. – The University of Missouri’s wrestling program is returning to the conference it called home for more than six decades with today’s unanimous approval by UM Board of Curators of the program’s affiliate membership in the Big 12 Conference, effective July 1, 2021. The Tigers have wrestled in the Mid-American Conference since Mizzou left the Big 12 in all sports to join the Southeastern Conference nearly a decade ago. “Mizzou’s wrestling program has always strived for excellence in everything they do, both on and off the mat,” said Darryl Chatman, chair of the UM Board of Curators. “This return to the Big 12 Conference continues that tradition of seeking excellence in competition. MU and the state of Missouri can be proud of the team that will represent us in a conference with some of the best wrestling programs in the country. I’m very happy for our team and wish them and Coach Brian Smith the best as they move to the Big 12.”
Missouri will join Big 12 legacy members Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia along with affiliate programs Air Force, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming in the 12-team alliance. Former affiliate Fresno State eliminated wrestling after the 2020-21 season, and Cal-Baptist will join the league as the ninth affiliate member at the conclusion of its NCAA Division I transition period in 2022-23. “This is an exciting opportunity for our wrestling program,” said Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri. “Coach Smith has done a tremendous job in his 23 years leading the program. Like many of our fans, I am very excited to see what the future holds for Mizzou wrestling in the Big 12.” The league’s 12 wrestling members participate in a regular-season scheduling alliance and compete for the Big 12 Conference championship title and allocated berths into the NCAA Championship. The Big 12 has held its conference tournament at Tulsa’s BOK Center since 2017, and will continue to do so through at least the 2024 event.
Mizzou was ranked fifth in the season-ending 2021 NCWA Coaches’ Poll, ahead of Big 12 members–No. 6 Oklahoma State, No. 13 Iowa State, No. 15 Northern Iowa, No. 19 Oklahoma and No. 25 Wyoming. West Virginia, Northern Colorado and North Dakota State received votes. … rest of story at https://mutigers.com/news/2021/4/22/mizzou-wrestling-program-returns-to-big-12-conference.aspx?mc_cid=a0d7657398&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – College Recruiting: two-time state champion Noble to South Dakota State University
Christian Noble of Big Lake has committed to wrestling for South Dakota State University following his upcoming senior season. Noble is a two-time state champion, winning the Class AA 120-pound title in 2021 as a Junior and the 113-pound title as a sophomore. Noble is projected to wrestle at 125 or 133 pounds for the Jackrabbits. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/05/college-recruiting-two-time-state-champion-noble-to-south-dakota-state-university/?mc_cid=c4978adc2e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Wyoming Wrestling Announces End of Season Team Awards
Laramie, WYO. (May 19,
2021) – After a very successful regular and post season,
Head Wrestling Coach Mark Branch has announced the teams end of season awards for the 2020-21 season.
The award winners are highlighted by Stephen Buchanan who was named the Everett Lance Most Outstanding Wrestler. Buchanan tallied a record of 14-6 on the season and became Wyoming’s 36th NCAA
All-American after finishing eighth at the NCAA Tournament. Buchanan recorded eight wins over ranked opponents during the season including a win over at the time No. 1 ranked and unbeaten Noah Adams (WVU).
After qualifying for his first NCAA Tournament, Cole Moody was named the Joe McDaniel Most Improved Wrestler. Moody posted a record of 14-6 and earned a career high second place finish at the Big 12 Championships after
placing sixth in the 2019-20 season.
Brian Andrews earned the Joe Dowler Cowboy Up Award for the grit and determination he showed throughout the season. Andrews had a strong start to the season picking up two ranked wins … rest of story at https://gowyo.com/news/2021/5/19/wrestling-announces-end-of-season-team-awards.aspx?mc_cid=e6c3ba1225&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – NCAA Qualifier Joey Prata Is Transferring to OU
Big news for the OU lineup and it looks like they’ve found a potential new anchor at 125 for the 2021-2022 season. Joey Prata, an NCAA qualifier at Virginia Tech in 2020 announced today via Twitter that he will be transferring to OU.
Prata went 5-0 last season in a reserve role behind All-American Sam Latona. He finished third at the ACC tournament in 2020 and went 20-11 on the season. Prata will be a Senior for OU this season. … rest of story at https://owrestle.com/ncaa-qualifier-joey-prata-is-transferring-to-ou/
10 } – Mizzou Wrestling’s O’Toole Named MAC Freshman of the Year
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Wrestling 165-pounder Keegan O’Toole (Hartland, Wis.) was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, announced by the league office on April 5. O’Toole earned All-American honors and finished third at the NCAA Championships, marking the highest finish by a Tiger freshman since J’den Cox won his first national championship in 2014. The freshman’s season also included a 19-1 overall record and MAC Championship title at 165 pounds. Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Wrestling. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (Mizzou Wrestling) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouWrestling).
… rest of story at https://mutigers.com/news/2021/4/5/mizzou-wrestlings-o-toole-named-mac-freshman-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=a167ed32cf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Former Northern Iowa wrestler Drew Bennett announces plans to transfer to Iowa wrestling program
It took two months for Drew Bennett to find a new home, and he found it south down Interstate 380 for the next steps in his collegiate wrestling career. Bennett, a Fort Dodge native, announced on Saturday his plans to transfer from Northern Iowa to the Iowa wrestling program. The 141-pounder joins the Hawkeyes with three years of eligibility remaining. “I am excited to announce that I will be transferring to the University of Iowa,” Bennett wrote in a tweet, announcing his decision. “Go Hawks!” It took two months for Drew Bennett to find a new home, and he found it south down Interstate 380 for the next steps in his collegiate wrestling career.
Bennett, a Fort Dodge native, announced on Saturday his plans to transfer from Northern Iowa to the Iowa wrestling program. The 141-pounder joins the Hawkeyes with three years of eligibility remaining. “I am excited to announce that I will be transferring to the University of Iowa,” Bennett wrote in a tweet, announcing his decision. “Go Hawks!” … rest of story at https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/wrestling/2021/05/22/iowa-hawkeye-wrestling-drew-bennett-transferring-uni-wrestling-doug-schwab-tom-brands-fort-dodge/5220425001/?mc_cid=986c5e1566&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – From the wrestling mat to baseball, Oklahoma State’s Carson McCusker is on ‘amazing journey’
STILLWATER — Nearly five years ago, Carson McCusker had to take a detour on his official visit to Oklahoma State. It wasn’t to Eskimo Joe’s for cheese fries or to Curty Shack for a Dirty Curty hot dog or even to Tumbleweed for some live music. McCusker wanted to step inside the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He had a name to find
McCusker found Coverley’s name. He took pictures. He shared what it was like with his grandfather. “It was awesome,” McCusker said. “I still can’t believe that he’s in there.” McCusker has kept the connection quiet for the most part. It’s not even listed in his bio. But it’s important to his journey. … rest of story at https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2021/05/26/oklahoma-state-cowboys-carson-mccusker-wrestling-baseball-journey/7431189002/?mc_cid=9bb22a2b55&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
National Wrestling News (2021) – # 8
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Clearing out and catching up on a back log of wrestling news from this spring. The news is of interest to wrestling fans from across the nation even if it is late as it shows how wide and extensive wrestling is in our country and the world even in the months that have been ravaged by the CoVid restrictions. We shall look forward to a marge growth in numbers and activities in the fall. Keep a Wrestling onward! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Blog # 2925 (6/4/21)
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1 } – USA Wrestling is setting a new trend in folkstyle wrestling
USA Wrestling is hosting the National High School Recruiting Showcase this weekend — and Rob Cate couldn’t be prouder of the brand new event landing in Coralville, Iowa.
- USAW HS National Recruiting Showcase … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1616729463548&twSessionId=bmmfhzvycj&videoId=1141982135&mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – OLYMPIC MEDALIST TERVEL DLAGNEV NAMED HEAD COACH FOR NEBRASKA WRESTLING TRAINING CENTER
The Nebraska Wrestling Training Center announced that Olympic and World bronze medalist and respected coach Tervel Dlagnev has been named its head freestyle coach. The NWTC made this announcement via Twitter today.
“We are extremely excited to announce the addition of Tervel Dlagnev at the head freestyle coach for the Nebraska Wrestling Training Center (NWTC). Tervel brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Nebrask, having been a World and Olympic medalist competing at the highest level. Tervel will add anohter piece to our coaching staff and add value to our student-athletes’ experience on and off the mat. He’ll contribute significantly to their overall development and help them reach their competitive goals. We welcome Tervel, his wife Kristen and their family back to Nebraska to help our Regional Training Center bet the most competitive club in the country.”
Dlagnev was one of the nation’s best heavyweight freestyle wrestlers in history. He won his Olympic bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Originally fifth at the event, gold medalist Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan was stripped of his gold medal for doping violations, not announced until July 2019 during re-analysis of Taymazov’s test. Dlagnev’s only loss at the London Games was to Taymazov. Dlagnev also won World bronze medals for the USA in 2009 and 2014. He was also am member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team, placing fifth in the Rio Olympic Games. Dlagnev was fifth in the 2011 and 2013 World Championships. He was a 2011 Pan American Games champion and won a 2008 University World title. Dlagnev won four U.S. Open title. He was a two-time Div. II national champion for Nebraska-Kearney before moving on to the Senior level. A native of Arlington, Texas, he was a three-time Div. II finalist and four-time All-American. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/25/Tervel-Dlagnev-to-coach-Nebraska-WTC?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – 2021 NWCA to Host Virtual Convention
Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association announced today the 2021 Convention scheduled initially for Baltimore, MD, will once again be a virtual event due to the uncertainty of travel and budgetary concerns for many programs. Presenting sponsors for this year’s event are Cliff Keen, Defense Soap, and Resilite. Sessions will run July 28-30.
“We are excited to bring the wrestling world together once again for our NWCA Virtual Convention. Last year was our first run at a virtual program and we had record-breaking attendance with 675 attendees. We plan to be back to an in-person event in 2022 and believe that this year’s event will once again offer our coaches under travel restrictions and budget reductions the opportunity to connect and continue to grow our sport,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “I have to thank our exceptional partners in Cliff Keen, Defense Soap, and Resililte for their continued support to make this annual event take place.”
ARTICLE | 2020 Virtual Event Shatters Attendance Records
2021 NWCA VIRTUAL CONVENTION DETAILS … rest of story at https://www.nwcaonline.com/2021-nwca-to-host-virtual-convention/?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – USA WRESTLING HAS SURPASSED 100,000-ATHLETE MEMBERS THIS WEEK, A BIG ACHIEVEMENT DURING PANDEMIC
USA Wrestling passed the 100,000 athlete member mark for the 2020-21 membership year, a milestone of note considering the challenges faced in conducting wrestling activity during the worst worldwide health pandemic in over a century. The membership season began on September 1, 2020, a time when much of the world, including the sports community, had been shut down or severely restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It took the effort of the entire wrestling community, including leaders at every level of the sport, to find creative and safe ways for wrestling training and competition to return.
“Probably more this year than ever, our state associations have been challenged to provide opportunities for wrestlers nationwide, and our volunteer leaders and coaches nationwide have done just that this year. In the month of March alone, there were over 20 youth state folkstyle tournaments held across the country, which provided countless highlights and great memories for our members,” said Tony Black, USA Wrestling State Services Director. When the pandemic hit, USA Wrestling quickly established a COVID-19 Advisory Committee of health, medical and government experts to educate USA Wrestling and assist in its decision-making process. USA Wrestling then added three more special COVID-19 committees: Public Relations and Messaging Committee, Collegiate Wrestling COVID-19 Sustainability Planning Committee and the Return to Practice and Competition Committee.
Early in the pandemic, with assistance from its COVID-19 committees, USA Wrestling developed two important documents to guide the wrestling and sports community in conducting wrestling activity in a safe and responsible manner, … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/09/USA-Wrestling-goes-over-100-000-members-during-pandemic?mc_cid=e835860738&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – 2021 USA WRESTLING REGIONALS SERIES HAS SIX GREAT EVENTS HELD ACROSS THE NATION IN MAY AND JUNE
The schedule has been completed for the 2021 USA Wrestling Regionals Series, which includes six Regional events held in strategic locations across the country, starting May 13 and running through June 6. For more than four decades, USA Wrestling has offered Regional Championships for young wrestlers in a variety of age divisions. These events have allowed wrestlers to challenge themselves against other top opponents from other states in the two international disciplines, freestyle and Greco-Roman. These events offer a great opportunity for wrestlers to test their skills and improve themselves in a competitive environment.
All six of the 2021 USA Wrestling Regionals will include competition for both boys and girls. Wrestlers from any state can attend any of the Regionals, and many wrestlers compete in more than one Regional in a season. This year’s Regional schedule (with links to websites) includes:
May 20-23: Frank E. Rader Southeast Regionals, Jacksonville, FL
May 21-23 Central Regional Championships, Fort Wayne, IN
June 4-6: Southern Plains Regional Championships, Mulvane, KS … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/13/2021-Regional-Series-set?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } -NFL Draft Defensive Line Rankings: No. 3 – Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA
Before he starred at UCLA, Osa Odighizuwa was a practically unbeatable high school wrestler
The Green Bay Packers’ defensive line simply was not good enough in 2020. Not even close. In 2019, Kenny Clark made the Pro Bowl following a season highlighted by six sacks, nine tackles for losses and seven quarterback hits. In 2020, Clark, Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster combined for five sacks, five tackles for losses and 10 quarterback hits. According to Pro Football Focus, Clark had 62 quarterback pressures in 2019. All nine defensive linemen to get playing time in 2020 recorded 77 pressures, led by Clark plunging to 28. Kingsley Keke showed some promise but all four sacks, all three tackles for losses and half of his eight quarterback hits came in two games. Montravius Adams, a third-round flop, signed with New England in free agency. With that, the Packers could use another impact defensive lineman. Unfortunately, it is a paper-thin draft class.
UCLA’s Osa Odighizuwa is our No. 3-ranked defensive lineman. Osa Odighizuwa is one of the best defensive linemen in this draft class. One reason why is, once upon a time, he was the top-ranked high school heavyweight wrestler in the nation. A native of Portland, he was a three-time state champion who finished his career with 131 consecutive victories. … rest of story at https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/nfl-draft-defensive-line-osa-odighizuwa-ucla?mc_cid=3018ac16e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – MatScouts LLC, led by Willie Saylor, to acquire InterMat
MINNEAPOLIS — Rev Wrestling Corp. has signed a definitive agreement to sell InterMat (InterMatWrestle.com), one of the nation’s leading wrestling content websites, to MatScouts LLC. The sale will be officially completed on April 1. MatScouts LLC, based in Easton, Pennsylvania, is led by Willie Saylor. InterMat, under its new ownership, will remain a separate entity from the MatScouts channel on Rokfin.
“We are pleased to be selling InterMat to MatScouts LLC,” said Rev Wrestling Corp. vice president Andrew Hipps. “Willie Saylor has been an important voice in wrestling media for several years. It will be exciting to see where Willie takes InterMat. Willie is the ideal person to lead the company because of his passion for wrestling and expertise, as well as his vision, drive and thorough understanding of the ever-evolving wrestling media landscape.” Saylor has been a prominent member of wrestling media for more than a decade. He started his career in wrestling media at The Open Mat in 2008 before joining FloWrestling in 2012, where he served as the website’s senior editor.
In 2019, Saylor launched MatScouts on Rokfin, where he provides a channel focusing on wrestling scouting and recruiting. Saylor has been recognized as the nation’s top wrestling journalist by multiple wrestling media outlets throughout his career, receiving the honor in 2012 from the National Wrestling Media Association and in 2016 from WIN Magazine. “InterMat has been a keystone of national and international wrestling journalism for decades,” Saylor said. “The opportunity to sustain its excellence and increase the brand and products is something I once could have only dreamed of. The plan is to keep MatScouts a separate entity for the hardcore recruiting audience … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24429?mc_cid=e6d1159834&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – #223 Buddy Lee – Olympian, Inventor and World-Class Jump Roper
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Buddy Lee, has earned a worldwide reputation with his incredible jump rope skills and highly motivational speeches, putting on 6,000+ events in 60 countries before Presidents and national leaders, and has appeared in international TV commercials and talk shows. Buddy Lee is the president and CEO of Jump Rope Technology, Inc. (JRT), the premier organization in the field of jump rope training education for fitness and improved sports performance. He is the co-inventor of the revolutionary Swivel-Bearing Jump Rope technology and maker of the world-renowned Buddy Lee Jump Ropes®. He has been appointed as the Jump Rope Subject Matter Expert to iconic mainstream health & fitness brands such as US Olympic Teams, US Government, CrossFit, TRX, 9-Round Fitness and others. … rest of story at https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/223-buddy-lee-olympian-inventor-and-world-class-jump-roper/?mc_cid=977ea0b267&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – ‘It’s not just a hobby’ for Pat Ryan: the effects of weight cutting in wrestling
The dangerous practice can cause short- and long-term effects
Editor’s note: This article discusses weight cutting and may be triggering to people who suffer from eating disorders. People suffering can contact the National Eating Disorders Association helpline at (800)931-2237. This article appeared in The Eagle’s March 2021 virtual print edition.
It’s two hours before a dual meet. American University wrestlers are in the locker room with weigh-ins minutes away. The wrestlers’ nagging hunger and no-nonsense attitudes leave no room for chatter. There’s no loud hype music or team chants. It’s just a team of men silently waiting their turn to step on the scale. Weigh-ins commence as the wrestlers strip off their clothes and form a line. Weigh-ins are a simple process, yet what seems like a mundane formality of the sport is the culmination of hours of dedication and tough work.
“Nobody, no matter how you explain to someone, will ever understand how it feels to cut 20 pounds in a month for wrestling unless they’ve actually done it,” AU wrestler Pat Ryan said. Ryan, a sophomore wrestling at 141 pounds, has one of the more difficult cuts on the team. He’s wrestling down a weight class since All-American senior Kizhan Clarke occupies the 149-pound spot. Ryan, whose natural weight is around 165 pounds, plans out his weight cut a week before weigh-ins. … rest of story at https://www.theeagleonline.com/article/2021/03/its-not-just-a-hobby-for-pat-ryan-the-effects-of-weight-cutting-in-wrestling?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Foley’s ‘Final’ Friday Mailbag: March 26, 2021
I wrote the first Foley’s Friday Mailbag nine years ago on April 13, 2012. I had graduated from journalism school in 2009 and had spent a majority of the next two years traveling to traditional wrestling events and writing for outlets like ESPN and FIGHT! Magazine. The money was terrible, and I wasn’t writing often enough to feel like I was staying sharp.
The mailbag was a suggestion from a journalism professor who thought if I could find an outlet willing to host me each week I could work on the writing and grow an audience. The money still was not great, but the idea that I would have a platform to work on ideas was compelling. I needed forward momentum and the mailbag was at least a chance to create something for myself. Almost a decade later I have submitted more than 400 mailbags and written more than 600,000-plus words. Some sharp, others dull, but all committed to creating a conversation.
But, as tends to happen, things need to change and so today will be my last column. The wrestling community is unique. We greet each other with underhooks, make fun of each other’s weight gain, and show off our cauliflower ears as badges of honor. All communities have their quirks, but at their core they are a collection of stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, and the experiences, controversies, and key moments we choose to commemorate. In starting the mailbag I’d hoped to sharpen my skills, but quickly realized that I was given the opportunity to be the first editor on the story of our community.
The weekly platform is the perfect length to both live inside a moment but be given enough time to consider its impact. A tweet about a wrestling match can feel as disposable as a book about the top champions of the sport can feel distant. But a weekly review of meaningful topics is well-positioned to strike a balance between the passion of immediacy and the benefit of hindsight. I hope the mailbag juggled those charges well. … rest of story at
11 } – MEMORIES OF USA WRESTLING PAIRING OFFICIAL AND LEADER MARCIA GOULD OF NEW YORK WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY
Although word was quickly shared through social media over a week ago, USA Wrestling would like to recognize the many contributions that dedicated volunteer and wrestling enthusiast Marcia Gould of Merrick, N.Y. made to the organization and the sport for decades. She was more than a leader in our sport; she was a true friend to so many within the vast wrestling family.
Marcia, always alongside her beloved husband Ed, served the New York and national wrestling community in many capacities, always with an upbeat attitude and a smile on her face. She was a wrestling mom, not only to her own family but also to all of the kids who came through the ranks in Long Island wrestling, New York USA Wrestling and even the U.S. national team program. With Marcia, it was not about being in charge of things, nor being the center of attention. Marcia did everything she could do, or whatever was asked of her, to help the wrestlers in any way possible.
Marcia was a dear friend to my wife Pat and I, going far beyond our shared love of wrestling and our work side-by-side within USA Wrestling. She was family to us, somebody who would call at any time to talk about everything and nothing at all. While we already miss spending time with Marcia at wrestling events, over dinner back in New York or all over the country, or over the cell phone, we smile every time we think about her. That is what Marcia was all about, taking care of other people and giving them her love.
The Gould family had a small funeral service and burial for Marcia shortly after her death, but there is talk of getting her larger wrestling family together sometime soon to celebrate her life and share stories and memories together. Marcia was mentioned to the crowd at the recent U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and there are plans to present the USWOA Lifetime Achievement Award she had won but never received to Ed when we all get together this summer in Fargo.
… rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24459?mc_cid=977ea0b267&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – National Coach of the Year Johnny “J-Rock” Johnson visits Somerset for Wrestling Clinic
One of the more successful wrestling club coaches in the nation, All-American Johnny “J Rock” Johnson, came to Somerset to run a National level Clinic. Somerset Wrestling Coach Mondell Hunter has known J-Rock for about six years and has stayed connected with him doing several camps all over the South when he travels down from New Jersey. “I really have tried to mimic some of the wide-open offense that he teaches,” Hunter stated. “The kids love this fast-paced style. It is equivalent to a no huddle offense in college. This type of wrestling applies so much pressure it forces the opponent to make a mistake. But, in return you must then take advantage of it by scoring and letting the opponent back up, that’s is called two-for-one.”
Jonathan Johnson, the one and only coach/director of RAW241, produced a Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champions, he has produced 2009’s D-1 NCAA Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Freshman of the Year (Jarrod Garnett, VA Tech 125), four # 1s (in the nation) wrestlers, (more than any other state, let alone club), 3 Walsh Jesuit Champs, 4 Beast of the east Champs, 3 Asics First team All-Americans, 2 NHSCA Sr. National Champs, 2 NHSCA Jr. National Champs, 3 Fargo National Champs, the Nation’s #1 overall college recruit, a Hodge Award winner, the Asics Wrestler of the Year, numerous high school and youth state champions from NJ, PA,MD,DE, GA, KY and VA, as well as much much more, all in the past year.
Also, commonly referred to as RAW241, the wrestling club has been in existence for 20 years and has trained some of the finest athletes in the country. The proof is in the results. Many of his wrestler’s have competed in or won or paced in ALL the National-caliber college, high school and youth events all around the country! These warriors have many things in common; … rest of story at https://www.somerset-kentucky.com/sports/national-coach-of-the-year-johnny-j-rock-johnson-visits-somerset-for-wrestling-clinic/article_b2af39c6-b516-58ec-a062-79eb4c2d2cc6.html?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Women’s Wrestling News (2021) – # 15 {International Styles}
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Women’s wrestling championships and preparation for Olympic competition in Tokyo dominate most of the news articles and accounts of women’s wrestling abovethe college level. Keep on Wrestling. Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Vlog # 2924 (6/4/21)
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1 } – Hildebrandt makes Olympic Team
FORT WORTH, Tx. – The King University women’s wrestling team completed competition today at the US Olympic Team Trials where alumni Sarah Hildebrandt solidified her position on the Olympic Team. Hildebrandt blatantly showed that she was the best 50 kilogram female freestyle wrester in the United States with two back-to-back technical fall wins in the grand finals. Several other alumni and current wrestlers had strong performances, showing great potential to make the Olympic Team in the future.HOW IT HAPPENED
- Aleeah Gould, Cheyenne Sisenstein and Ana Luciano where bested in the consolation quarter finals, finishing 2-2
- At 68 kilograms Ashlynn Ortega powered her way into the semi-finals with a 13-1 tech fall. She goes on to lose a close decision to the eventual third place finisher
HOW IT HAPPENED – ALUMNI
- At 50 kilograms Sarah Hildebrandt wins both matches in a best of three grand final by technical fall over Victoria Anthony. She becomes the second wrestler in King University history to qualify for the Olympic Wrestling Team, following Haley Augello in 2016
- After falling in the finals Ali Ragan solidified true second as Abigail Nette injury defaulted at 57 kilograms … rest of story at http://kingtornado.com/news/2021/4/3/womens-wrestling-tornado-olympic-trials.aspx?mc_cid=7136a52740&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Transition Wrestling’s Gabby Lord-Klein on women’s freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
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Gabby Lord-Klein, founder of the women’s wrestling website TransitionWrestling.com, will join the Short Time Wrestling Podcast to discuss the happenings at the recent U.S. Olympic Team Trials in women’s freestyle! Lord-Klein is a former athlete and current women’s wrestling coach in Wisconsin. Find out more about women’s college wrestling at TransitionWrestling.com. Daily Wrestling News, delivered every day, free.
As always, you can support this network, its shows and its projects at mattalkonline.com/jointheteam or rokfin.com/creator/mattalkonline and I’d like to thank you for spending your time with me, because you’ve always got time, for Short Time! … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/short-time/transition-wrestlings-gabby-lord-klein-on-womens-freestyle-at-the-u-s-olympic-team-trials/?mc_cid=c3ca94c3de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Five takeaways from the inaugural FloWrestling Captains’ Cup
The inaugural Captains’ Cup took place over the weekend with six women’s teams competing in a dual format in Coralville, Iowa. Team Mensah-Stock came away as team champions during the exclusive event hosted by FloWrestling. Here are five takeaways.
Erin Golston vs. Sarah Hildebrandt, Part II?
Erin Golston and Sarah Hildebrandt were scheduled to face off at the Hawkeye Wrestling Club Showdown Open on Nov. 1, 2020, at Xtream Arena in Coralville but Hildebrandt fell ill and was unable to compete. Life University true freshman Devyn Gomez wrestled as a last-minute replacement and Golston prevailed with a 57-second fall. Golston and Hildebrandt finally faced off when they met during the fifth-place dual of the Captains’ Cup. The match took place a few hundred feet from Xtream Arena — the place they were originally scheduled to meet. Hildebrandt controlled the match from start to finish, picking up an 8-0 win. She finished with a 3-0 record, outscoring her opponents by a 28-0 count.
Brenda Reyna proved she’s more than a substitution
Reyna was a substitution for past World teamer Jenna Burkert when members of WCAP were unable to compete. Three-time World/Olympic champion Helen Maroulis and two-time World silver medalist Alli Ragan weren’t competing, either — but the McKendree junior … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1613449647328&twSessionId=gzntsrnswi&postId=1064239135&mc_cid=9e45a80a12&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Wrestler Helen Maroulis Has ‘Fully Healed’ from 2018 Head Injury — and Is Ready for Tokyo Olympics
The countdown to the Tokyo Summer Olympics is on, and wrestler Helen Maroulis is one of the many athletes awaiting the chance to take home gold for Team USA. The 29-year-old, who is featured in Procter & Gamble’s new film Your Goodness is Your Greatness as part of its Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 campaign, made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, where she became the first-ever American to win a gold medal in women’s freestyle wrestling.
Two years later, Maroulis sustained a devastating head injury at the 2018 World Wrestling Championships, which left her wrestling future (and return to the Olympics) up in the air. But now, Maroulis exclusively tells PEOPLE, she’s made a full recovery and is ready to take on the competition in Tokyo this summer.
“I’m good. I’m fully healed,” says Maroulis of her injury. “And it’s been really interesting. I learned a lot about the brain and honestly about the mind. As athletes, you think we know about how powerful the mind is, but until I learned about some of the neurology and the way the brain really works, I’m like, ‘Oh wow, there’s so much more we can tap into.’ So I learned a lot.” … rest of story at https://people.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-helen-maroulis-fully-healed-brain-injury-ready/?amp=true&__twitter_impression=true&s=09&mc_cid=987a3385bf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Susaki Secures Olympic Spot as Japan, China Fill Missing Women’s Berths
AL:MATY, Kazakhstan (April 10) — After waiting a year for her chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) needed just over six minutes over three matches to secure the coveted spot. Susaki won all three of her round-robin matches by technical fall in the women’s 50kg class, assuring a top-two finish going into her final match to be held at the night session of Asian Olympic qualifying tournament on Saturday. “Getting here was a long, tough road,” Susaki said. “Really, it was because of the support and cooperation from a lot of people that I am here now.”
Having achieved her primary goal of taking home an Olympic ticket from the Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports in Almaty, Susaki will now aim to add the 50kg title when she faces Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL) in the de facto gold-medal match. Tsogt Ochir also won all of her three matches inside the distance to set up a showdown for bragging rights with Susaki in the fifth round of matches. … rest of story at https://uww.org/article/susaki-secures-olympic-spot-japan-china-fill-missing-womens-berths?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Michaela Beck: What I Learned From Scott Beck
Michala Beck competed at the 2020 Olympic Trials and recently moved to Madison to train at the Wisconsin Regional Training Center. She competed at the 2019 Junior World Championships and was a Junior National champion in 2016. Her father, Scott, wrestled at Harvard and placed sixth at the 1982 Greco-Roman Junior Nationals. They are believed to be the only father-daughter duo to place at “Fargo.” The following are Michaela’s thoughts on what she learned from her father.
DO THE LITTLE THINGS WELL
The first one he taught me is that if you’re trying to do something for fun that’s one thing, but if you’re trying to be the best at something and the most successful and the best in the world where there are really competitive people out there — then give yourself the best opportunity to do that. Do all the little things right and don’t cut those corners. I know people say that and it sounds cliche, but once I started applying that I really started to see the jumps in my wrestling and in my life. Doing the little things right. Journaling. Watching matches. Stretching. Eating well. Being hydrated. Everyone can go hard in the wrestling room but then outside the room, they aren’t doing the right things.
He always says you don’t want to look back on your career and think, ‘What if I gave more effort’ or ‘What if I did the things in my heart I knew I was supposed to be doing.’ You never want to lose a match and think it’s because you were cutting corners. That’s one … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1618887781668&twSessionId=thoumyalpr&postId=1158280135&mc_cid=5c73249ed8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Olympic Veteran Orchirbat Nabs Mongolia Ticket to Tokyo in Day’s Final Match
ALMATY, Kazakhstan (April 10) — Unlike everyone else who secured an Olympic berth in the women’s competition at the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament, ageless Burmaa OCHIRBAT (MGL) had to wait until the evening session to clinch hers. And in the final bout of the day no less. The veteran — who appeared at the inaugural Olympic women’s wrestling competition at Athens 2004 and will turn 39 in May — gave Mongolia a fourth Olympic berth from the tournament in Almaty when she finished second at 76kg.
Needing a victory to clinch the silver medal in the five-woman round-robin group, Ochirbat came through with a flurry of second-period points to build up a 10-1 lead before securing a fall at 5:27 over Shakhribonu ELLIEVA (UZB). “This will be my third Olympics,” said Ochirbat, who placed 10th in Athens and eighth at the 2012 London Games. “I am 39. This is very good and I am happy going back to Mongolia.” Ochirbat finished second with a 3-1 record behind 2020 Asian silver medalist … rest of story at https://uww.org/article/olympic-veteran-orchirbat-nabs-mongolia-ticket-tokyo-days-final-match?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – TEAM USA JACKIE CATALINE RETIRES
7X National Team Member
There were many great moments that we will never forget at the 2021 Olympic Team Trials (OTT). One of those moments being when 7X U.S. Senior National Team member Jackie Cataline left her shoes on the OTT competition mat publicly stating her retirement from the sport of wrestling.
We haven’t seen Cataline compete competitively for the past few years. That is until she made her 2nd career return at the 2020 Senior Nationals Championships in Iowa last fall. It was there where she began her final track in her wrestling career towards the women’s freestyle (WFS) Olympic Team. … rest of story at https://www.wreaperwrestling.com/team-usa-jackie-cataline-retires/?mc_cid=82e9baddf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – The Complete Women’s Nationals Preview
Women’s Nationals are here, or as some call it “Not-Body-Bar”— a reference to the moniker that identified the event for years.
“Body Bar” was the place where many of today’s veteran stars first gained national attention. Olympic gold medalist Helen Maroulis won the Cadet division in 2007 after taking third in 2006. Five-time World champion Adeline Gray won the Cadet and Junior divisions in 2008. World silver medalist Sarah Hildebrandt won the Cadet division in 2010. … rest of story at https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/7023091-the-complete-womens-nationals-preview?mc_cid=2f6eda67bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – PAGE REPEATS AS SENIOR NATIONALS WOMEN’S CHAMPION, AND NELSON IS NAMED OUTSTANDING WRESTLER
CORALVILLE, IA– Jennifer Page of the Titan Mercury WC repeated as Senior National champion and Maya Nelson of the Sunkist Kids was named Outstanding Wrestler in the women’s freestyle division on Friday night. Page won a three-athlete round-robin at 65 kg, winning both of her matches by 10-0 technical falls. Nelson won a four-athlete round-robin at 59 kg, beating three very tough opponents by sizable margins. Nelson dropped down a weight class from her Olympic year weight and dominated. She defeated both of last year’s 57 kg Senior National finalists, Lauren Louive and Xochitl Mota-Pettis.
The top five place winners in each weight class earned a spot in the 2021 World Team Trials in September. More notably, the three champions at the non-Olympic weights earned their spot on the 2021 Pan-American Championship team– Maya Nelson (59), Jennifer Page (65) and Alex Glaude (72). The final Pan-Am spot will be filled by runner-up Amy Fearnside since today’s champion, Jacarra Winchester, is the Olympic Trials champion at 53 kg and is already on the Pan American team. The pandemic has made training and life difficult for everyone. Even more difficult, some programs cancelled their seasons and training entirely. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/May/01/Senior-Womens-Nationals-wrap?mc_cid=93e0ad182d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – 2021 SENIOR NATIONALS RECAP
#21SeniorNationals
Senior Nationals for women’s freestyle (WFS) may have been short in numbers this year, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t get to see some great wrestling!
There were 43 registered WFS athletes. Only 41 of those wrestlers competed. Last year’s Senior Nationals also had 42 competing WFS wrestlers. There were a few reasons why number may have been lower than in past Senior National tournaments.
While the 2020 Senior Nationals was the very first USA Wrestling senior event of the year with 6 Olympic weight classes, we saw the move back to 10 weights, which certainly spread out the competition. Since the numbers were so low in each weight class, each weight competed in round robins. All except for 76 Kg, which managed a small bracket. 68 Kg was the only weight with only 2 wrestlers. They did a Best-of-3.
The other and probably bigger factor is this week’s Women’s National Championships & World Team Trials. While this tournament provided the incentive to compete at Pan-Ams, most young wrestlers, including over-lapping age-group and senior wrestlers, are saving their mat time for Irving, Texas. Currently, there are 900 wrestlers signed up for this weekend’s 3-day tournament! … rest of story at https://www.wreaperwrestling.com/2021-senior-nationals-recap/?mc_cid=f2268a753e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – 2021 WOMEN’S NATIONALS & WORLD TEAM TRIALS
Irving, Texas May 7-9 Body Bar is BACK!
After a phenomenal 2019 turn out, we were so sad to see it cancelled last year due to everything COVID-19 related. But we’re here and the tournament is this weekend, so that’s all that matters! Per USA Wrestling in 2019, this event was “already one of the biggest women’s wrestling tournaments”. With the additions of the U15 and U23 age-groups, this event is certainly the biggest girl’s & women’s age-group domestics tournament of the year! Currently there are over 1,000 wrestlers across all ages registered for this weekend.
The 8U-14U age-groups will be competing freestyle for the Women’s National Championships as well as the U15-U23 groups. The stakes are higher though for the U15-U23 groups as they will compete to represent Team USA at Pan-American Championships and 30 World Team spots in Cadets, Juniors, and U23s: “The champion for the UWW U15 Women’s Freestyle … rest of story at https://www.wreaperwrestling.com/2021-womens-nationals-world-team-trials/?mc_cid=2f6eda67bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
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
