International Wrestling News (2021) – # 7
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Catching up some with International style wrestling news. Some stories are from the Final Olympic Team Trials last month and a few are looking forward to the Olympics in Japan in August. Keep Wrestling onward and upward! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – COMPLETE UPDATED LIST OF OLYMPIC GAMES WRESTLING QUALIFIERS; THE USA LEADS THE WORLD WITH 15 GOING TO TOKYO
Below is a complete list of wrestling qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, as of April 7. The list includes a review of all three disciplines combined, but is also broken down by individual style and weight class. In addition, total number of qualifiers per nation is included. This list has been updated with the completion of three of the four Continental Olympic Qualifiers. The last two qualifying events are the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier in Almaty, Kazakshtan, April 13-18, and the World Olympic Games Qualifier in Sofia, Bulgaria, May 6-9.
At this point, the United States leads the world with 15 weight classes qualified for Tokyo, followed by Russia with 13, Cuba with 12 and Tunisia with 10. The United States is the only nation with a full team of six women’s freestyle wrestlers to this point. Cuba is the only nation with a full team of six Greco-Roman wrestlers at this time. No nation has yet to qualify a full team of men’s freestyle wrestlers yet. As one of the world’s most diverse sports, there are 57 different nations which have qualified at least one athlete to compete in Tokyo.
Note: The announcement that North Korea is not attending the Olympics in Tokyo has not been officially confirmed, so North Korea is still included in this list at this time.
Updated Olympic Qualification by nation, all styles
(as of April 5, 2021)
United States, 15 (50kgW, 53kgW, 57kgW, 62kgW, 68kgW, 76kgW, 60kgGR, 67kgGR, 87kgGR, 97kgGR, 57kgFS, 74kgFS, 86kgFS, 97kgFS, 125kgFS) … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/07/Olympic-Games-qualifiers-updated?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – What’s next for former Missouri wrestler J’den Cox after Olympic Wrestling Trials appeal?
The events transpired quickly last Friday morning.Columbia native and Missouri wrestling alum J’den Cox arrived at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, ready for weigh-ins before the U.S. Olympic Trials. That’s when things took an unexpected twist. Cox, who already had booked his spot in the semifinals at 97 kilograms because of previous victories, says a miscommunication is the reason he wasn’t allowed to compete.
“I was informed with the wrong times of when weigh-ins were supposed to be,” Cox said during a televised interview Saturday night on NBC Sports Network. “That’s just flat-out the truth. … By a USA Wrestling employee, and that just so happens to be my coach (Kevin Jackson). I wish things were different, but you’ve got to take things in stride.”
The 97-kilogram tournament went on without Cox. Kyle Snyder, the defending Olympic gold medalist in the weight class, secured the spot on this summer’s U.S. team.
The anticipated final between Cox and Snyder for a trip to Tokyo never happened.
Jackson said later Friday he was appealing the decision to disqualify Cox, but no further information has been released since the decision was made.
The Tribune’s attempts to reach Cox and his agent have been unsuccessful.
“It’s something I’m still appealing,” Cox told NBC Sports Network on Saturday. “In the grand scheme of things, I feel that I was not presented, I guess, the same opportunity, would be the word to say — I’m not really sure how to phrase it. But I think it’s just miscommunication and I want the right to represent my country. … rest of story at https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/sports/2021/04/07/jden-cox-olympic-wrestling-trials-2021-former-missouri-wrestler-columbia-native-weigh-in/7127743002/?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Former Husker football lineman chasing Olympic wrestling dream
“I enjoy the pursuit of maximizing my physical and mental potential,” Farmer said. “I enjoy the process of thinking: How far can I push myself today? Can I bring myself to the point where I have to give up because I can’t go any farther?” His first opportunity after his collegiate career concluded in 2018 was in the world of coaching. Farmer volunteered as a graduate assistant for the football team at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, and while on campus he developed a relationship with wrestling head coach Levi Calhoun.
Farmer said wrestling was his second love in high school behind football, so he was eager to help out the wrestling team any way he could. Farmer was a two-time Class 2A heavyweight champion in Illinois at Highlands High School, and went undefeated his junior and senior seasons. Farmer was planning on joining the wrestling coaching staff after football season was over. However, one conversation with Calhoun about how NAIA eligibility worked … rest of story at http://www.dailynebraskan.com/sports/former-husker-football-lineman-chasing-olympic-wrestling-dream/article_322c30a6-97fa-11eb-b651-832c8047d6c3.html?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Gable Steveson puts Tokyo on his itinerary
AVHS grad earns spot on U.S. Olympic wrestling teamThe sky always has been the limit for Gable Steveson in wrestling, so when people who coached him or trained with him in Apple Valley watch him now, they’re never surprised. Not even when he puts on a dominant performance that earns an Olympic berth. Last weekend Steveson, a four-time high school champion at Apple Valley and reigning NCAA Division I 285-pound champ for the University of Minnesota, bulldozed his way through the best freestyle wrestlers the country had to offer at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. None of his matches were close, not even the two he won against No. 1 seed and two-time NCAA champion Nick Gwiazdowski in the finals. Steveson won by a 10-0 technical fall in the first match of a best-of-three final, then earned his spot on the Olympic team with a 10-4 decision. The freestyle wrestling tournament at the 2021 Summer Olympics will be Aug. 1-7 in Tokyo. … rest of story at https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_thisweek/sports/gable-steveson-puts-tokyo-on-his-itinerary/article_de9e2724-97f8-11eb-b7da-1fe548cb542f.html?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b 5 } – Recapping the Trials in Greco-Roman with FivePointMove.com’s Tim Hands
Tim Hands, founder of the award-winning Greco-Roman wrestling website, FivePointMove.com, joins the Short Time Wrestling Podcast to recap the happenings from the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Fort Worth from April 2-3. Hands covers Greco through his website and podcast that shares the same name. He’ll look at some of the unique matchups and go into detail about the personalities that exist in Greco in the U.S. It’s Episode 652 (we think).
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/recapping-the-trials-in-greco-roman-with-fivepointmove-coms-tim-hands/?mc_cid=e835860738&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – A Marine Will Wrestle in the Summer Olympics for the First Time in 30 Years
Technically, United States Marines are always on Team USA, but Staff Sgt. John Stefanowicz will represent his country this summer at the Tokyo Olympics. He’ll be the first wrestler from the Marine Corps shooting for Olympic gold since 1992.
Stefanowicz didn’t wrestle in any high school championships or college, so he wasn’t an award-winning wrestler before joining the Marines. He couldn’t qualify for state tournaments, and college programs didn’t want him. So he joined the Marines and sharpened his skills with the All-Marine Wrestling Team, a Greco-Roman team that trains for competition year-round.
Stefanowicz’s work over the years led him to earn one of the 15 wrestling spots on the U.S. Olympic Team. He’s also the best American wrestler in his 87-kilogram (191.5-pound) weight class, according to the Jacksonville Daily News. Stefanowicz was just shy of one year old the last time a Marine went to the Olympics. That Marine was Buddy Lee, … rest of story at https://www.military.com/off-duty/marine-will-wrestle-summer-olympics-first-time-30-years.html?mc_cid=e835860738&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Catching up with Braxton Amos
I had a more than interesting catch-up conversation earlier this week with Wisconsin’s Braxton Amos, who last weekend finished runner-up in Greco-Roman at 97 kg to G’Angelo Hancock at the United State Olympic Team Trials. Many subjects were broached, but suffice it to say Mr. Amos definitely is a born and bred Mountaineer.
He loves the simplicity of life, family, friends and the sport nearest and dearest to his heart, wrestling.
His accomplishments from the time of dominating the mat as a youth with Trinity Awards, to becoming the first two-time winner of the Robert Dutton Award and then the first West Virginian to capture the national Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award speaks for itself.
Last weekend was a complete whirlwind for the former Parkersburg South three-time state champ.
After finishing his match at 9 o’clock or so he “went straight into drug testing and paper work from there. Got back to my hotel at about 11:15 and talked to a bunch of boosters who support USA Wrestling. Mom and (sister) Presley showed up about midnight asking if I wanted to get some food. I hadn’t eaten in like 13 hours.”
A 6 a.m. flight from Texas to Madison, Wisconsin awaited him. … rest of story at https://www.newsandsentinel.com/sports/local-sports/2021/04/bennett-catching-up-with-braxton-amos/?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – OLYMPIAN Alex Sancho Finally Ready To Be Heard
Alex Sancho (67 kg, Army/WCAP) now finds himself in a different place. He is actually eager to speak with reporters. There have been more media inquiries lately and that’s just fine. Sancho, 27, is, for him, uncharacteristically willing to open his life up to outsiders. He was never truculent with inquisitors, anyway; but questions were usually met with short, direct answers that begged for additional details. Sancho would always hold back just a little. As if for some reason, he was not entirely convinced that what he had to say was terribly important.
But he is mindful of the change in dynamics.
Before, he was an elite United States Greco-Roman athlete with loads of potential. Plenty of big wins and medal-winning performances adorn his resume. Also included on that sheet is the word “runner-up” more times than he’d like to count. “Runner-up”, certainly for a wrestler of Sancho’s caliber, is just a synonym for “crushing disappointment”. … rest of story at https://fivepointmove.com/greco-wrestling-interviews/alex-sancho-2020-olympian/?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Which Rules Matter?
Just before the Olympic Trials started in Fort Worth, news began to ripple through the crowd that J’den Cox had missed weight and would not compete in the tournament. As a returning medalist at the non-Olympic weight of 92kg, Cox had a bye into the semifinals at 97kg. Many had anticipated a Saturday night matchup between Cox, a two-time world champion and 86kg Olympic medalist, and Kyle Snyder, the defending Olympic champion at 97kg and a two-time world champion.
As more information became public, it emerged that Cox claimed he was told the wrong weigh-in time by his coach, USA Wrestling National Freestyle Developmental Coach Kevin Jackson. Weigh-ins ended at 8:00am, but Cox did not make weight until 8:13am, according to published reports. The tournament committee met and decided that Cox could not enter, since he did not make weight in the time allotted. (Quick aside: international weigh-ins work differently than college. In college, wrestlers must be in the weigh-in area when the weigh-in begins or they cannot weigh in. Internationally, there is a weigh-in window, and wrestlers can come at any time during that window. The window ends two hours before wrestling begins.)
Cox was a serious threat to win the trials and medal in Tokyo this summer. Leaving him out of the tournament and depriving fans of the potential Cox vs. Snyder final generated a lot of discussion about whether or not Cox should have been permitted to wrestle even though he missed the weigh-in. At the heart of any discussion is the question of which rules really matter, and which rules are worth disregarding to reach a desired outcome. Is the desire to send the best possible team to Tokyo … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24514?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – NATIONAL GRECO-ROMAN HEAD COACH MATT LINDLAND HEADLINES EPISODE 4 OF HEADS UP – A USA WRESTLING COACHES COUNCIL PODCAST
On the most recent episode of Heads Up – A USA Wrestling Coaches Council Podcast, Mike Hagerty and Mike Clayton are joined by National Greco-Roman Head Coach Matt Lindland. The trio discuss the results from the Olympic Team Trials as well as some of the challenges that Greco-Roman faces in the U.S. and Internationally.Watch the full episode here: … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/14/National-Greco-Roman-Head-Coach-Matt-Lindland-headlines-Episode-4-of-Heads-up?mc_cid=41e05ef71b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Interview with Jordan Oliver
Intermat hit the road over the weekend and traveled to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to film content for an upcoming segment on the site. We were also able to catch up with Jordan Oliver, just about a week after winning the 65 kg Olympic Trials in freestyle. Oliver was fresh off a workout with national team member Nathan Tomasello as he prepares for the Last Chance Qualifier in a few short weeks in Bulgaria. In our talk, Oliver discusses the differences in his mindset between this Trials and past events and much more. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24509?mc_cid=3018ac16e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b12 } – Richard Immel of FloSports talking about the men’s freestyle portion of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Richard Immel of FloSports swings by the Speakeasy to recap the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials from Fort Worth, Texas. Richard is an award-winning media guru in the sport of wrestling with skills on the mic, in content creation and with photography. This episode was recorded from a live stream of the Short Time Wrestling Podcast.
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!
Support the Show and the Mat Talk Podcast Network
Patreon | Rokfin
The Short Time Time Wrestling Podcast is proudly supported by Compound Sportswear. … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/short-time/richard-immel-of-flosports-talking-about-the-mens-freestyle-portion-of-the-u-s-olympic-team-trials/?mc_cid=41e05ef71b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And TRULY ONE OF OURS: Why ‘USA Olympian’ Means Something Different To Ildar
The one thing they all have in common, aside from glaringly obvious parallels, is that it means something special. Or, extraordinary. There is a digressive component involved with making an Olympic Team. You witness this deviation from the norm every four years — or five, in this case, since nitpicking often wields a superficial brand of power for snarky, disenchanted folks on the interweb.
It never quite gets old. Wrestlers whose accomplishments are well-documented behave a little differently once they garner Olympic Team honors. Even if their coronations did not arrive with much in the way of surprise, the scene in Fort Worth, Texas two Saturday nights ago was still cherished. Buzzers and whistles and screams of joy filled the arena. High-profile names sporting glossy credentials found themselves overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all, some of whom already owned World and Olympic titles. So, you’d think this was nothing new for them. Still, most let out guttural roars, gesturing and waving. Draping the American flag over their shoulders and hugging various mask-clad personnel. … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/army-wcap/two-time-olympian-ildar-hafizov/?mc_cid=41e05ef71b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wesley College Wrestling
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Since 2004 we have gathered research and information on the dual meet records of college coaches and teams over history. This on-going project started with a simple question and quest to find out who were the top 20 or 30 coaches with the most all-time dual wins. For over 40 years the top coach was Dale Thomas at Oregon State. In early 2020 Pat Pecora of University of Pittsburgh-Johnston coached his 617th dual meet win to take the top spot. In order to be accurate and complete the project expanded to compiling records of over 1,200 teams, 4,800 individual top coaches and 176,000 matches wrestled.. Until recently we saw include any records stating that Wesley College in Dover, Delaware had a wrestling team.
In a 1961 Amateur Wrestling News reported that Allen Brent left Wesley College, in Dover Delaware, where he was the A.D. and wrestling coach and moved on to The University of Connecticut. After contacting the S.I.D. office at Wesley College about this they looked through their archives and yearbooks and found some information. They found “records of a wrestling team in 1966, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 and 76. Limited win, loss records but Coach Jack Fisher was their coach in the first 4 years with a J. Stone joining the coaching staff in 1969. It appears as though they won 2 matches in 66, were 8-3 and the Tri-State Champions in 1967 but after that records were not reported in the yearbooks.”
Readers may not be aware of Wesley College which started in 1873 as a preparatory school until It became a two-year college in 1918, and was named the Wesley Collegiate Institute. The school did not confer four-year degrees until 1978 as it became a private liberal arts college. In July 2020, Delaware State University announced that it was acquiring Wesley College. Thus on June 30th 2021 Wesley College will cease operations and will be acquired by Delaware State University. On July 1, 2021, 277 years of history will be made in Dover, Delaware when Wesley College’s 147-year tradition as a premiere liberal arts college becomes part of the 130-year heritage of Delaware State University. Delaware State was the last Historically Black College/University to have a wrestling team before they dropped the sport in 2009.
We welcome input and information from alumni wrestlers and fans who would share about the wrestlers, coaches and teams at Wesley College.
NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 19
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Variety of articles about Division I schools across the country from recent months. Keep supporting wrestling! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Some Big Names Choose Their Transfer Destinations
Former Penn Stater Jarod Verkleeren, who started 19 duals at 149 pounds during his three years and qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year, will don a Virginia singlet next season, he announced late Thursday. https://twitter.com/verkleeren_j/status/1382805864835395585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1382805864835395585%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegian.psu.edu%2Fsports%2Fwrestling%2Fformer-penn-state-wrestler-jarod-verkleeren-announces-transfer-destination%2Farticle_73e1861c-9e31-11eb-ac85-1f02f65d5e6b.html Over his career, Verkleeren went 32-14 at Penn State and spent several weeks ranked inside the top-20 wrestlers at 149 pounds in 2020, his first full season as a starter.
There has been chatter that the reigning 141-pound national champ, Nick Lee, might bump up to 149 in 2022. The Verkleeren news marks the second time in as many weeks that Penn State has announced that a starter from its 2021 lineup will not be returning in 2022. Former Lion 157-pounder Brady Berge announced he would be stepping away from the mat due to a medical retirement.
Elsewhere, Greg Bulsak announced on Instagram he is transferring to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from Clarion University for his final season of eligibility.
A three-time NCAA qualifier and a redshirt senior, Bulsak wrestled at 197 pounds the last two seasons. He became Clarion’s first Mid-American Conference champion in 2020 and was seeded 10th in that year’s NCAA Tournament before the tournament was canceled. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/some-big-names-choose-their-transfer-destinations/80899?mc_cid=82e9baddf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Shane Sparks – Relationships are the Currency of Life
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/230-shane-sparks-relationships-are-the-currency-of-life/?mc_cid=a0d7657398&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – SEAN RUSSELL RETURNS TO HIS HOME REGION AS THE NEW HEAD COACH OF RTC SOUTH
RTC South, the Regional Training Center affiliated with Chattanooga wrestling, announced the hiring of Georgia native Sean Russell as its new head coach. RTC South tweeted the following:
We are excited to welcome Georgia native Sean Russell as our new Head Coach of RTC South. Sean has a huge passion for the sport and has excelled as an athlete both collegiately & on the senior level.
Welcome back to the south Sean!
Russell was a four-time state high school champion for Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga. He was a 2017 NCAA All-American and three-time NCAA qualifier for Edinboro, before transferring to Minnesota for his senior year, where he was third in the Big Ten, and reached the blood round at the NCAA Championships.
Russell made his run in Senior freestyle as a member of the Gopher WC. He was fourth at the 2020 Senior Nationals at 57 kg, then punched his ticket for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials by winning the title at the Last Chance Qualifier this March. At the Trials in Fort Worth, Russell went 1-2, with a win over fellow Gopher WC veteran Zach Sanders, and losses to Daton Fix and Nathan Tomasello. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/21/Sean-Russell-to-coach-RTC-South?mc_cid=d92d6a4129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – The Hypothetical Division I Wrestling Super League
I’m not sure if any of you wrestling fans are soccer enthusiasts as well, but suffice to say, it’s been a strange couple of weeks (and a public relations nightmare) in the soccer world.
On April 18, ESPN reported rumblings that 12 top clubs around Europe intended to form a breakaway Super League in which they’d compete, consequence-free, outside the UEFA Champions League where these teams were all currently competing.
Within a matter of days, this grandiose and revolutionary plan for a 15-team soccer Super League of sorts folded as teams pulled out in the face of public scrutiny and backlash. While the soccer Super League is no more, it got me thinking….
If such a Super League were formed for college wrestling at the Division I level, who are the 16 teams that would make the cut?
For clarification, there is zero indication such a scenario would or could ever materialize, but here are the 16 teams I would want to break away from the NCAA and form a Super League if it were up to me.
The 16 teams I would choose (in alphabetical order) for my hypothetical Division I wrestling Super League.
The A-Team … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/the-hypothetical-division-i-wrestling-super-league/81246?mc_cid=c1dee7f2bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Some Familiar NCAA Faces Join the Wrestling Coaching Ranks
Penn State and Cornell have been the two most discussed Division I wrestling programs this week. The primary headline was the announcement that Max Dean officially transferred to Penn State.
However, the transfer was not the only news concerning both powerhouse programs. Former Penn State four-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion Quentin Wright was announced as the head wrestling coach at Tyrone Area High School in Tyrone, Pennsylvania.
Penn State and Cornell have been the two most discussed Division I wrestling programs this week. The primary headline was the announcement that Max Dean officially transferred to Penn State.
However, the transfer was not the only news concerning both powerhouse programs. Former Penn State four-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion Quentin Wright was announced as the head wrestling coach at Tyrone Area High School in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/high-school-wrestling/some-familiar-ncaa-faces-join-the-wrestling-coaching-ranks/81706?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – 10 EIWA Wrestlers I’m Excited to See Return in 2021-22
If you follow EIWA wrestling, you noticed something was missing last year. The league lacked the usual firepower that it produces year in and year out. The conference was founded in 1904, making it the oldest in the country. At 17 teams, it is the largest conference based on quantity, after having only four member schools at its inception. Because of the rich tradition of the conference, one would suggest it produces numerous All-Americans (AAs) every year. And that assumption would be correct, as there has been an average of 10 AAs from the conference between 2010-2019. With the cancellation of the 2020 tournament, 21 AAs were crowned from the EIWA. Since these were based on rankings, I will ignore this number, as it is certainly an outlier. Let me be clear about that last statement, I certainly do not discount the individual wrestlers who earned this status. It is an amazing achievement, and anyone who wrestled at any level probably knows how hard this is to do. Obviously, they did earn it based on the season’s results. But I am sure nearly 100% of these guys would agree that it’s “different” than actually standing on the podium after three days of battle. As the old saying goes, “That’s why they wrestle!”
This brings us to the 2021 season. The EIWA only had 2 wrestlers on the podium in St Louis. Zach Hartman wrestled in the semifinals, eventually losing to the champion (Shane Griffith of Stanford) and placing sixth. The other placer was Lou Deprez of Binghamton, who placed eighth after earning the third seed to begin the tournament. Why the huge drop in the number of All-Americans? The answer is simple, unfortunately. Seven schools were forced to sit out the entire 2020-2021 season. This includes the 6 Ivy League Universities, plus Franklin and Marshall College. If you are like me and not smart enough to apply to the Ivy League schools with wrestling, I got you covered. They are Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Penn, and Princeton. Below is a list of the wrestlers I’m most excited to see, who were unable to compete last season due to their respective schools cancelling the season. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24587?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – InterMat’s Mother’s Day Special
To celebrate Mother’s Day, InterMat sat down with five prominent mothers in the wrestling community, Allyson Schwab, Kaille Grey, Lyndsey Beasley, Jaime Dubuque, and McKayla Engel. All five are married to DI coaches, as well. These women talk about how and when they met their husbands and some difficulties involved with being the wife of a DI coach. From new jobs, moving, criticism in person/on social media, time spent on the road, distance from family, these ladies hit plenty of angles that many fans forget about. They also share some fun stories about their husbands that you probably don’t know (and their husbands probably don’t want you to know). … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24577?mc_cid=6292a9adee&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Columbia Wrestling’s Class of 2025 Earns National Ranking
NEW YORK — Following time well spent on the recruiting trail, Columbia Wrestling’s Class of 2025 has earned a pair of top 25 national rankings, being ranked No. 25 by both Intermat and MatScouts as announced by both publications on Tuesday, May 11.
Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling Zach Tanelli and his staff worked hard during the offseason to earn the ranking, and it’s the second straight season that Columbia’s recruiting class has fallen inside more than one Top 25 ranking. Columbia’s Class of 2025 is made up of 10 incoming Lions, with five hailing from Pennsylvania, and one from New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Adding to the domination of the Northeast region, Columbia also added a incoming Lion from California, giving the “Nation’s Oldest Program” a presence on the West Coast.
Among the 10 incoming Lions’ eight have earned Top 250 individual recruiting rankings within their respective weight classes. But two of the 10 cracked the Top 100, with Jack McGill (165) coming in at No. 79 and Aaron Ayzerov (184) earning the No. 87 ranking at 174 pounds. … rest of story at https://gocolumbialions.com/news/2021/5/12/wrestlings-class-of-2025-earns-national-ranking.aspx?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Ervin Looks to Solidify Family Legacy at SIUE
“Wrestling is a big thing in our family. My dad, brothers, uncles, and cousins all wrestled; it’s just what we do” said Saul Ervin, a redshirt sophomore at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Saul, the third youngest of the Ervin family, was born in Morganfield, Kentucky, where he continued the Ervin legacy at Union County High School. He was coached by his father, Robert Ervin, who has won 13 Kentucky state wrestling championships, including six-in-a row since 2016. His accomplishments gave way to his nomination as the 2021 Coach of the Year.
The Ervin family name is synonymous with both Kentucky wrestling and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a public university located in Edwardsville, Illinois. Robert Ervin competed for the Cougars during the 1985-1986 national championship season. Saul’s uncle, Tim Ervin, competed for the Cougars and became a three-time Division II All-American from 1979 to 1981. Finally, Saul’s older brother, Isaac Ervin, competed for the Cougars during the 2010-2011 season, where he, unfortunately, suffered a season-ending injury.
“Growing up, there was always a wrestling match going on in my house. I was eager to wrestle because my big brothers were already in the game. I saw them transition throughout the different stages of wrestling and traveled to different places right alongside them” said Saul. His earliest memories warrant “family vacations” to wrestling tournaments around the country, where the Ervin family bond became stronger and the boys became tougher. Saul and his older brother have had a friendly competition going since high school. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24563?mc_cid=f2268a753e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Binghamton University’s Lou DePrez reflects on the NCAA Wrestling Championships
VESTAL, NY – The Binghamton University Athletics Department has a lot to smile about after the last week they’ve had. After seeing cross country runner Emily Mackay finish 14th at the NCAA Championships, earning All-American honors in the process, this past weekend the campus was fortunate enough to have a 2nd student-athlete join Mackay with that distinction. Bearcats wrestler Lou DePrez was the lone BU representative at the NCAA Wrestling Championships this year, but he made the most of it.
DePrez, seeded 3rd in the 184 weight bracket, made his way onto the podium after finishing 8th overall, and was named an All-American for the 2nd-straight year. DePrez represented BU at the NCAA’s in 2019, and was set to wrestle in them again last year before the COVID pandemic broke out. After making his return last week, DePrez described what it was like to be back in the tournament.
“Any time that I get to wrestle in that kind of atmosphere is always fun. It’s just always a good opportunity. You’ve got all the teams in the NCAA there. They’re battling to try and get into a top 8 seat, places. It’s just a good time. There’s nothing like it,” he said. One positive that came out of last year’s COVID cancellation was the NCAA granted all winter Division I athletes an additional year of eligibility. … rest of story at https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/sports/binghamton-universitys-lou-deprez-reflects-on-the-ncaa-wrestling-championships/?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year Jason Borrelli Named Head Wrestling Coach at American University
WASHINGTON – Coming off 13 successful seasons as head wrestling coach at Stanford University, Jason Borrelli is switching coasts. American University Director of Athletics & Recreation Dr. Billy Walker has announced Borrelli, the two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year, as the head coach of AU Wrestling.
I’m tremendously excited to announce Coach Jason Borrelli as American University’s Head Wrestling Coach. He has demonstrated excellence in all facets of running a nationally respected program. He takes great pride in cultivating a family atmosphere in his program, and has a laser-like focus on ensuring his student-athletes succeed on and off the mat. Most importantly, Coach Borrelli has proven he does things the right way—with integrity, respect, and a deep sense of caring for the development of each of his student-athletes. I’m thrilled to welcome Jason, Jenna, Carter, Lincoln and Jackson to the AU Eagles Family!
Borrelli leaves Stanford following a historic season for the program. The Cardinal swept the Pac-12 awards including Borrelli’s second Coach of the Year honor, seven of 10 Cardinal starters qualified for the NCAA Championships, and Stanford finished with two All-Americans and its first national champion since 2004 in redshirt sophomore Shane Griffith.
Over Borrelli’s 13 seasons, the Cardinal sent 35 different wrestlers to the NCAA Championships a total of 64 times. In 2016-17, Stanford set a program record with nine NCAA qualifiers. … rest of story at https://aueagles.com/news/2021/4/13/two-time-pac-12-coach-of-the-year-jason-borrelli-named-head-wrestling-coach-at-american-university.aspx?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – The debate over the University of Hartford isn’t just about Division I sports but about the future of a school with major financial challenges
Behind the ongoing debate over whether the University of Hartford should move its athletic program from Division I to Division III lies a university whose enrollment issues, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, threaten to undermine its future. Enrollment had dropped at UHart even before the 2020-21 school year, numbers from the school indicate, a product of the university’s struggle to compete for a declining pool of college applicants. The result, industry observers say, has been a decline in tuition revenue that has strained the campus and forced cuts.
It is against that backdrop that UHart, led by president Gregory Woodward, commissioned a report on potential paths forward for the athletic department — a report that ultimately recommended the school save money by moving to Division III. The study has drawn outrage from current and former UHart athletes who argue that sports bring value to a university beyond dollars and cents, as well as from critics who say the report may overstate the potential savings from a move to Division III. Dozens of students marched through campus Monday to advocate against the proposed change, while hundreds of alumni have signed petitions demanding that the school remain in Division I.
Advocates of shifting to Division III say UHart should focus as many resources as possible on its academic mission, rather than continue to underwrite a relatively modest Division I sports program.
Either way, the broader issues facing the school are undeniable and inescapable, say those who follow the university closely, including former administrators. “The real problem at the university is that they have declining enrollment, and because of declining enrollment they have declining revenue,” says Michael Gargano, a former administrator at UHart and elsewhere who now counsels university boards of trustees. “And it is impacting all operations, of which athletics is a small part of it.” … rest of story at https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-university-hartford-finances-enrollment-20210425-ccl2loxr2ncsbaoa5s2osw5xiu-story.html?mc_cid=9e2c82acd7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
National Wrestling News (2021) – # 7
TDR Editor’s Notes ; The following are a collection of articles covering a wide span of topics such 5 year olds first learning the sport to a champ seeking a pull ups record, and actors in wrestling movies to wrestlers in movies. The National wrestling sports writer of the year and how the addition of athletic programs can decrease financial woes for schools. Also many more topics. Keep wrestling on! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – What do you tell a five-year-old … and parents … learning the sport?
Editor’s Note: The following appeared in the Feb. 24 issue of WIN Magazine. Mike Clayton serves as manager of USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Education Program, which helps wrestlers set goals, focus, gain confidence, organize and prioritize their training to help them reach their goals. He recently spoke with WIN Editor Mike Finn about how parents should introduce their children to the sport.
WIN: If a parent decides to introduce wrestling to their five-year-old child, what would you tell them?
Clayton: It’s got to be fun because it’s got to be long term. If Timmy goes out today and if it’s not fun or it’s not a positive experience, why does Timmy come back tomorrow?
Don’t tell me that your kid has to start at four or five to be a successful wrestler. Your kid’s not going to fall behind because he’s not winning national titles at age five. And even if he’s winning national titles at age five, it doesn’t mean he’ll still be winning at age 20. Early success is not a predictor of future success. So you might see your kid winning a lot right now. That doesn’t mean they’ll even be wrestling in high school.
WIN: When should winning and losing matter?
Clayton: It’s really up to each child and what’s important to each athlete. If a young child goes out and loses, he’s probably going to cry. And he may be crying because he thinks he’s letting mom and dad down because of the things mom and dad may say. Mom and Dad don’t intend to be that way. But they may say something, they may do something, they may say something that makes the child think I don’t get the same positive reaction from my mom and dad, when I lose, as I do when I win. Now, the kids associate winning with love for mom and dad. And that’s the problem.
Children think they have to win to make their mom and dad proud. We don’t need to add emotional anxiety onto these kids to think the only way that mom and dad love them is if they’re wrestling.
WIN: Some parents have never wrestled and may not know what to tell a child that is wrestling; that it’s more than just learning how to control another child. How do these parents educate themselves enough to help their child? … rest of story at https://www.win-magazine.com/2021/02/27/what-do-you-tell-a-five-year-old-and-parents-learning-the-sport/?mc_cid=02f3563d01&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-do-you-tell-a-five-year-old-and-parents-learning-the-sport
2 } – Ex-ASU wrestling national champion Anthony Robles sets pull-up world record at his alma mater Mesa High
Anything that Anthony Robles has accomplished in his life is a fist-pumping inspiration for all athletes. No matter how far he goes around the world as a motivational speaker, he’s the most proud to be a Prodigal Son of Mesa High School’s wrestling program.
The former Arizona State wrestling national champion, born with one leg, added another footnote to his legacy earlier this month when he set his third world record for pull-ups since 2018. Robles, a 5-foot-9 strongman, did 30 pull-ups while having a 60-pound pack strapped on him within one minute, at his alma mater Mesa on Jan. 30.
He was officially declared the Guinness Book of World Record-holder officially on Feb. 3 for the most pull-ups, 62.
“This record is always going to hold an important piece of my heart,” Robles said to Arizona Republic. … rest of story at https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2021/02/18/anthony-robles-sets-his-third-pull-up-world-record-mesa-high-school/6789383002/?mc_cid=279b9a2f50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – College Fan’s Guide To 2021 NHSCA Nationals
All the committed and uncommitted wrestlers to follow at this year’s NHSCAs.
For the DI NCAA college fans, we’ve compiled a list of all the entrants at 2021’s NHSCA Nationals who listed a single school when they signed up for the event.
Committed Entries
| Division | Weight Class | Full Name | College | Rank |
| Senior | 182 | Aiden Warren | Air Force |
… rest of story at https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6987523-college-fans-guide-to-2021-nhsca-nationals?mc_cid=a0d7657398&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Journeymen’s Frank Popolizio goes On The Mat – OTM62
Frank Popolizio goes On The Mat
Successful New York high school and club coach Frank Popolizio has had great success in building teams, programs and events New York’s Capital Region. You’ve seen the Northeast Duals, Journeymen Fall Classic just to name a couple. What’s next on the horizon for the progressive wrestling leader? Join Kyle Klingman and Andy Hamilton as they talk about the world of wrestling on the flagship podcast of Trackwrestling.com.
Show Segments
0:37 – Andy “Go with the Flo” Hamilton
0:58 – Impressive Category: Wrestle D1 as a starter or D3 All-American? … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/trackwrestling/on-the-mat/journeymens-frank-popolizio-goes-on-the-mat-otm62/?mc_cid=76aa098ad3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – USA WRESTLING NATIONAL COACHES COUNCIL LAUNCHES FIRST EPISODE OF “HEADS UP” PODCAST, FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST BRUCE BAUMGARTNER
The USA Wrestling National Coaches Council released the first episode of their new podcast “Heads Up” earlier today, and it is now available for streaming and download.
The podcast is hosted by Mike Hagerty, a founding member of the National Coaches Council and Mike Clayton, USA Wrestling’s Manager of the National Coaches Education Program.
Hagerty is a numerous-time World Team coach and a two-time USA Wrestling Developmental Coach of the Year. Hagerty served as head coach at DII Central Missouri for seven seasons, twice earning Midwest Coach of the Year honors. He also spent 24 seasons coaching at Blue Springs High School in Missouri, leading the team to three state titles and seven other top-three finishes. In addition to his coaching, Hagerty received the Meritorious Official Award in 2017 from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, after serving as an NCAA Division 1 official for over 25 years.
Prior to joining USA Wrestling in 2014, Clayton coached at numerous colleges and universities including Stevens Tech in New Jersey, where he was the 2008 NCAA Div. III Rookie Coach of the Year and the 2009 Centennial Conference Coach of the Year, and the Apprentice School in Virginia, where he was a four-time nominee for NCWA Coach of the year. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/03/Heads-up-Podcast-release?mc_cid=e764d9125d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – When ‘Match Day’ Comes: Nate Grimes & The Value Of Calm
He’s probably too nice to bristle at the thought of having triumphed “out of nowhere”. In order to become offended, one must first trudge around shackled to their ego. And simply put, Nate Grimes (77 kg, OPTC) doesn’t have time these days to remain trapped underneath the burden of external perspectives. Think what you want, say what you will. Outside noise rarely penetrates Grimes’ observance of his personal core values. At still just 21 years of age, he has already experienced enough wrestling-related tumult to understand which are the battles actually worth fighting.
Unsurprisingly, most of those have taken place between his own ears.
Following a high school tenure in Texas that concluded with a third-place finish at the state tournament, Grimes’ idea of wrestling soon veered towards a different, much more expansive direction. Instead of choosing to figure out a way to continue his career for a college folkstyle program, he found himself at Northern Michigan University. It was a whole new landscape, and not just in terms of topography and meteorological concerns. … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/greco-wrestling-interviews/nate-grimes-value-calm/?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – The Desert Preparation Zone: What Is Happening At ASU
On Monday morning, they got to work by drilling various technical mechanics for just over an hour. Then they broke for lunch, rested, hung out a little bit, and returned in the afternoon to hit the weights.
But not in Colorado Springs, Boise, or Tata. Instead, this latest gathering of United States Senior Greco athletes is taking place in… Arizona.
Arizona State University is not often associated with Greco-Roman wrestling these days, but that is gradually starting to change now that 2017 Cadet World Champion/two-time Junior World medalist Cohlton Schultz (130 kg, Sunkist, 5PM #2) has fully settled into his collegiate career. Two-time age-group World Teamer Chad Porter (97 kg, 5PM #8) was already a Sun Devil before Schultz arrived on campus, and the team’s 174 pounder, Trent Munoz, advanced to the semifinal of the US Open in October — in what was his first taste of Senior Greco action.
Schultz, who became a two-time Senior National champ this past October, … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/arizona-camp-natl-team/?mc_cid=83f6447486&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Andy Hamilton – 4x National Wrestling Writer of the Year Winner
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Andy Hamilton is a wrestling media legend. He’s been with Track (now Flo) since 2016 and prior to that covered Iowa wrestling from both Des Moines and Iowa City. He’s a 4x recipient of the national wrestling writer of the year award. Please enjoy!
PRESENTED BY SPARTAN COMBAT
This episode is brought to you by the Spartan Combat Nationals, taking place this May 20-23 in Jacksonville Florida. Register now at SpartanCombat.com … rest of story at https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/219-andy-hamilton-4x-national-wrestling-writer-of-the-year-winner/?mc_cid=1a80b5744e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Could adding athletic programs decrease financial woes for some schools? FDU is banking on it
Karl France woke up on the first day of March, found something burgundy and blue to wear and embarked on a project that less than a handful of coaches have had since the start of the pandemic. The new men’s volleyball coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University is one of just a few people who are laying the foundation of a brand-new college sports team this spring.
France was hired a month after Fairleigh Dickinson, a small private university in New Jersey, announced plans in January to start sponsoring a men’s volleyball team in the 2021-22 academic year. The school also plans to add a women’s lacrosse program the following year and will start a search for a lacrosse coach this spring. Only five other Division I schools have announced plans to increase the number of sports they sponsor since COVID-19 arrived. Fairleigh Dickinson’s plans to grow from 19 to 21 teams were finalized during a time when cancellations and postponements have led to millions of dollars in lost revenue for many schools. Since the NCAA called off its money-making men’s basketball tournament in the early days of the pandemic last March, 35 Division I colleges have announced plans to shutter, indefinitely suspend or downgrade a total of 115 programs (22 of those teams have since been reinstated as the result of alumni fundraising and/or legal pressure). The last comparable culling of college teams came when the 2008 financial crisis led schools to hunt for ways to tighten their belts. … rest of story at https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/31038654/could-adding-athletic-programs-decrease-financial-woes-some-schools
10 } – Casey Moss opens up about ‘The Last Champion,’ and digital age (Includes interview)
He played Scott Baker in the film The Last Champion, which was directed by Glenn Withrow. “It was an incredible experience, to say the least. From the beginning to the end, it was a ride that I was really grateful to be a part of. The intense physical preparation leading up to the film was something I’ve always wanted to tackle in this profession, to really earn it. And the people involved with The Last Champion from the cast to the crew were amazing to work with,” he said. “The Last Champion is a great story about family and redemption. Something I think we need a little more of in our current climate. So if you want to watch a heartwarming, uplifting film, check it out,” he said. … rest of story at https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/casey-moss-opens-up-about-the-last-champion-and-digital-age/article/585781?mc_cid=a32eea18bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Mack Beggs quotes Dr. Seuss to tell transphobic state lawmakers: ‘We’re here! We’re here!’
Collegiate wrestler Mack Beggs tag teams with a Kansas healthcare provider to build national networks of advocacy and resistance
Much has changed in three years for collegiate wrestler Mack Beggs. We remember seeing him first as a high school kid in Texas pushing through a storm of controversy at the intersection of being both an athlete and a transgender boy. Throughout 2017 and 2018, his story was the focus of numerous news stories, and he was profiled in-depth in two acclaimed documentary film projects, “Changing The Game” and “Mack Wrestles”.
Today, Beggs is a psychology major in his junior year at Life University in Georgia. In an interview this week on the Outsports podcast, The Trans Sporter Room, he discussed how he’s using his voice in the current fight over transgender rights in scholastic and collegiate sports. “I don’t want any other kid to go through what I went through,” Beggs said. “Trans kids need this chance to be who they are, so that I why I’m here.”
Legislation that would legalize discrimination toward transgender people is on the docket in 23 states as of today. Most of the bills, like the so-called Save Women’s Sports Act in South Carolina, are measures seeking to ban transgender student-athletes from interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics. Several others would criminalize affirming health care. … rest of story at https://www.outsports.com/2021/2/20/22291544/mack-beggs-trans-athletes-aclu-kansas-georgia-legislation-transgender-lgbtq-high-school-sports?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – ACTOR FRANK GRILLO: WRESTLING WITH CAREER SUCCESS
Frank Grillo may be the busiest actor in Hollywood as the Pandemic moves along. He has no fewer than eight projects finished or in the works, not to mention his popular recurring role as artist Nico Tanner on “Billions.” However, the Bronx, NY native is never far from the boxing ring, or the disciplines he learned early on in life around sports, to keep him focused and grounded.
And it all started on a wrestling mat.
“I got involved in wrestling when I was in the sixth grade,” Grillo told TheMat.com during a promotional tour recently for his new film “Boss Level,” out next week on Hulu. “I do know that I went to my first wrestling practice and said, ‘wow this is something I can do and I don’t have to worry about the team’ in the sense that I was responsible to other teammates for a result. And it just was something that made me want to do it the next day.”
Those early days made Grillo a fan of wrestling for life and set him up for a career that has seen him take prominent “tough guy” roles in everything from “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” to “The Gray” with Liam Neeson to his latest work, where he pairs with Mel Gibson on a bit of a fun sci-fi adventure where Grillo’s lead character, keeps reliving the same day over and over again. “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray it’s not; think more “Fast and Furious” or “The Matrix” recreated over and over again. Oh, and yes, there are lots of fight and action sequences, and even a good amount of
… rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/09/Frank-Grillo-feature?mc_cid=2cfe70fede&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Women’s Wrestling News (2021) – # 14 {High School}
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Newly sanctioned girls’ wrestling programs in Nebraska and North Dakota are described below. Since this happened Minnesota and Michigan have joined the over 30 states which have programs for scholastic girls’ wrestling. Also below are articles on the state championships in New Jersey, newly set NFHSA weight classes and girls’ rankings. We urge interested readers to check the full articles on the links provided after the introduction to each article. Keep on Wrestling! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Nebraska Votes to Sanction Girls HS Wrestling
This morning Nebraska joined 32 other states by sanctioning girls high school wrestling. A year ago, the Nebraska School Athletic Association (NSAA) voted to add girls wrestling as an emerging sport and it was on the state calendar as a winter sport. With sanctioning, the NSAA will host an official girls state tournament for the first time in 2021-22. For the past four years, a girls state tournament was held, but it was not officially sanctioned by the NSAA. Wednesday’s vote tally turned out to be 8-0 in favor of sanctioning girls high school wrestling. Nebraska is the second state in less than 10 days to approve the sport. Minnesota jumped aboard on May 11th.
While high school sanctioning just occurred, Nebraska already has a presence at the women’s collegiate level. In 2020-21, Hastings became the state’s third college to offer the sport, joining Midland and York. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24606?mc_cid=e6c3ba1225&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – NSAA vote on upgrading girls wrestling to a sanctioned sport likely coming next month
It appears the Nebraska School Activities Association Board of Directors will decide next month whether girls wrestling will elevate to a fully sanctioned sport. Currently, girls wrestling operates under “emerging sport” status.
At its monthly meeting, held Thursday in Lincoln, it appeared the board is ready to sanction girls wrestling after its first year as an emerging sport, a designation that does not offer an NSAA-run state championship. An activity can be an emerging sport for up to three years under NSAA rules.
But NSAA executive director Jay Bellar wanted to give his staff and the wrestling committee time to put together details on a state championship date, venue and format, as well as the number of classes, before holding a vote of the board. “I think we need to put something together that you can visualize and say, ‘This is what it is,’’’ Bellar said. Some board members were ready to approve the promotion Thursday. … rest of story at https://journalstar.com/sports/high-school/wrestling/nsaa-vote-on-upgrading-girls-wrestling-to-a-sanctioned-sport-likely-coming-next-month/article_92cf64e3-df46-5733-9705-2c298597d2f5.html?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – North Dakota adds girls high school wrestling as sanctioned sport
Another state is adding girls high school wrestling as a sanctioned sport.
The North Dakota High School Activities Association Board of Directors met Tuesday and voted to approve the sanctioning of girls wrestling as a NDHSAA-sponsored sport starting in the 2021-22 school year. North Dakota becomes the 30th state high school association to sanction girls wrestling.
North Dakota has held non-sanctioned girls high school state wrestling championships for the past five years. Over 50 female wrestlers competed in the most recent non-sanctioned girls high school state wrestling championships held last month at the Fargodome.
Last season, North Dakota had about 80 girls participating in wrestling, which was up from about 20 in 2015-16. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24476?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Another Hahn wins a state wrestling title at Lakewood as Jayla captures 143-pound girls crown
It was a big day for Jayla Hahn. The Lakewood High School sophomore wrestler avenged a loss in last year’s state tournament, captured her first state title in a dramatic final and added to her family’s legacy.
Hahn defeated North Hunterdon’s undefeated Jodi Holder, 10-8, in the NJSIAA/Rothman Orthopaedics 143-pound final at Phillipsburg High School. A stall point assessed to Holder tied the match with 15 seconds to go, then Hahn shot in for a match-winning takedown, fighting off a headlock attempt to score the winning points. … rest of story at https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2021/04/another-hahn-wins-a-state-wrestling-title-at-lakewood-as-jayla-captures-143-pound-girls-crown.html?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Jess Johnson makes history, Jayla Hahn, Mia Lazaurs also win state wrestling titles
Manalapan senior Jess Johnson joined a special club in the history of New Jersey scholastic wrestling Saturday night at Phillipsburg High School. A senior 161-pounder, Johnson pinned Kittatinny’s Kierra Hubmaster with 17.2 seconds left in the first period to become a three-time state champion. “Getting the third win and being a part of history mattered,’ Johnson said. “When I look back I will remember all of it.” … rest of story at https://www.app.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2021/04/10/jess-johnson-manalapan-becomes-three-time-njsiaa-wrestling-champion/7130287002/?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Princeton’s Chloe Ayres wins 114-pound state title, caps girls wrestling career with 3rd state crown
Chloe Ayres’ legendary girls wrestling career at Princeton High School ended the way it started – with a pin. Ayres decked Cedar Creek’s Riley Lerner in the NJSIAA/Rothman Orthopaedics 114-pound girls state final on Saturday to capture her third championship. She was 26-0 against New Jersey wrestlers – her only defeat coming last season at Rutgers in a feature match against Wyoming Seminary (Pa.)’s Caitlyn Walker. … rest of story at https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2021/04/princetons-chloe-ayres-wins-114-pound-state-title-caps-girls-wrestling-career-with-3rd-state-crown.html?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Trail blazing girls wrestling state champions continue to leave legacy
They are the trail blazers. Two years ago, the NJSIAA crowned 10 girls states champions in its inaugural season of competition. This season, just four remain – Parsipanny’s Sydney Petzinger, Princeton’s Chloe Ayres, Old Bridge’s Gabby Miller who won her previous title with Monroe and Manapalan’s Jess Johnson.
Ayres (114 pounds) and Johnson (161) will be trying to cap their careers with their third state title in three chances. Miller (128) – only a junior – will try to win her second championship after losing in the final last year. … rest of story at https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2021/04/trail-blazing-girls-wrestling-state-champions-continue-to-leave-legacy.html?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Kennedy Blades – Age is Just a Number
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Kennedy Blades is the future of women’s wrestling. She’s a junior in high school and recently took second at the 2021 Olympic Trials. Prior to the Trials, Kennedy has been on a warpath, racking-up three Fargo National Titles, a 2019 Cadet World Team membership and numerous international tournament wins. Kennedy, along with her sister Korina, wrestle for Wyoming Seminary and are trained by Izzy Style. … rest of story at https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/228-kennedy-blades-age-is-just-a-number/?mc_cid=3018ac16e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – NJSIAA girls wrestling sets path PIAA must follow | Commentary
It looks as if the closest Pennsylvania is going to get to a girls state wrestling tournament anytime soon is New Jersey having its tourney at Phillipsburg.
It’s only a short hop from the state boundary to the Stateliners’ wrestling city on a hill. But, for PIAA girls, it may as well be three thousand miles.
Pennsylvania girls could only watch with envy as their counterparts from New Jersey gathered for their own tournament, run by the state athletic association, in Phillipsburg’s first-class gym. The competition was compelling and fun, and the tournament was run in the efficient and effective way the Stateliner crew always does things (hats off to them, by the way). … rest of story at https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/highschoolsports/2021/04/njsiaa-girls-wrestling-sets-path-piaa-must-follow-commentary.html?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Separate Weight Classes for Girls, Choice of Weight Classes Established in High School Wrestling
States will have a choice of 12, 13 or 14 weight classes for both boys and girls competition in high school wrestling, effective with the 2023-24 season. This will be the first separate weight classes established for girls in high school wrestling, and it marks the first time that state associations will have a choice in the number of weight classes.
The landmark change in weight classes was one of several significant revisions recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 2-3 meeting held virtually this year. All recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
States must select one of the three sets (12, 13 or 14) of weight classes for girls and one of the three sets (12, 13 or 14) for boys. States cannot adopt all three sets and cannot switch back and forth during the season. The following weight classes (in pounds) were established for girls competition (girls wrestling girls), effective July 1, 2023:
12 Weight Classes – 100, 107, 114, 120, 126, … rest of story at https://nfhs.org/articles/separate-weight-classes-for-girls-choice-of-weight-classes-established-in-high-school-wrestling/?mc_cid=1a96ae13a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – April 20 National Girls High School Rankings
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame, USA Wrestling and FloWrestling on Tuesday released the sixth national rankings for high school girls wrestlers for the 2020-21 season. This ranking evaluates all girls enrolled in grades 8-12, and athletes from all 50 states are eligible for selection. It has been a busy time for girls high school wrestlers. Since the last ranking in March, numerous states have completed their official or unofficial girls state championships. These state tournaments play an important role in setting the rankings during this time of the year. In addition, the major spring and summer national championships have already begun. The two events that had a tremendous impact on the April rankings were USA Wrestling’s High School National Recruiting Showcase and the Girls Folkstyle Nationals, both held in Coralville, Iowa. Two athletes who were No. 1 in March are now ranked No. 1 in different weight classes in April, based upon their amazing runner-up finishes at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling in Fort Worth, Texas: Kennedy Blades of Illinois at 152 pounds and Kylie Welker of Wisconsin at 164 pounds. Blades dropped in weight to 68 kg, where she reached the Olympic Trials finals against World champion Tamyra Mensah-Stock. Welker moved up to 76 kg, where she reached the Olympic Trials finals against five-time World champion Adeline Gray.
There are seven new No. 1 wrestlers in this ranking: Brianna Gonzalez of California (100), Olivia Shore of Ohio (106), Sage Mortimer of Utah (112), Katie Gomez of California (117), London Houston of Washington (132), Maddie Kubicki of Missouri (144) and Eliana Bommarito of Michigan (225). … rest of story at https://nwhof.org/news/april-20-national-girls-high-school-rankings
12 } – After Helping N.J. Girls’ Wrestling Gain a Foothold, Ayres Going to PU, Aiming to Grow Sport at Next Level
GOING TO THE MAT: Princeton High senior wrestling star Chloe Ayres enjoys the moment after she won the 114-pound New Jersey state girls’ wrestling title on April 10 at Phillipsburg High, joined by New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) representatives Howie O’Neal and Colleen Maguire near the mat. It was the third straight state crown for Ayres, who is headed to Princeton University this fall where she is looking to get a women’s club wrestling program off the ground. (Photo caption)
By Justin Feil
Chloe Ayres was thrilled to win a third state wrestling title, but was even happier with the news that came a few days before it.
The Princeton High School senior was accepted to Princeton University, where she plans to continue wrestling.
“I would say probably getting into Princeton was bigger,” said Ayres. “That’s been a goal of mine since fourth grade so it’s been a long time coming. The state title was definitely up there too.”
Ayres has a bigger platform in mind as she looks to the higher levels of wrestling. She will continue to develop her own wrestling, but also is fully invested in working toward opening Division I wrestling up for women to inspire young girls to take up the sport about which she’s so passionate. Opening up more opportunities for women to wrestle would be a bigger win than any on the mat.
“It’s definitely a process to develop women’s wrestling at that level,” said Ayres. … rest of story at http://www.towntopics.com/wordpress/2021/04/21/after-helping-n-j-girls-wrestling-gain-a-foothold-ayres-going-to-pu-aiming-to-grow-sport-at-next-level/?mc_cid=d92d6a4129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 18 {Recruiting}
TDR Editor’s Notes ; The following articles and announcements areabout some of the recruitments and additions to coaching staffs. These are for just Division I schools and they usually get the most attention. Even more news with be announced next month when more active recruiting starts back up.
Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Columbia Wrestling’s Class of 2025 Welcomes 10 New Lions
NEW YORK — With an eye on the 2021-22 season, Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling Zach Tanelli and his staff have worked hard on the recruiting trail, announcing on Thursday, April 8, the addition of 10 incoming student-athletes as part of Columbia Wrestling’s Class of 2025.
“We have a tremendous recruiting class brimming with tough, talented young men that embody what it takes to be a wrestler at Columbia University,” said Tanelli. “The Class of 2025 will bring us another step closer to our goals of being EIWA and NCAA Champions. Their energy and enthusiasm is to the point where I can hardly wait to get them on campus in the fall and they will be a perfect complement to the already strong foundation we have in place here and I am eager to hit the ground running.”
Within the Class of 2025, Tanelli and “The Nation’s Oldest Program” have added a group of strong wrestlers, making sure to place a stamp on the surrounding region, with five hailing from Pennsylvania, and one from New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Along with putting a blanket over the northeast, the Columbia staff also went to the West Coast, recruiting California to give the Lions a wide range of student-athletes as part of the Class of 2025.
With weights ranging from 133 pounds to 285 pounds the class, which also boasts seven 100-plus career winners and a pair of state champions, Tanelli and his staff have focused on strengthening Columbia’s lineup from top-to-bottom. Cesar Alvan, 165 Pounds, Columbia College (Northfield Mount Hermon School, Springfield, Massachusetts): Won letters in wrestling and soccer at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, Massachusetts. At the 2019 NHSCA Nationals, Alvan took a win over the number one seed and he has career wins over Kai Bele, Shane Reitsma and Jacob Stefanowicz and spent time wrestling with Metrowest United Wrestling. … rest of story at https://gocolumbialions.com/news/2021/4/8/wrestlings-class-of-2025-welcomes-seven-new-lions.aspx?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Penn Wrestling Announces 2021 Recruiting Class
PHILADELPHIA – University of Pennsylvania Hall of Fame Head Coach Roger Reina C’84, WEV’05 has announced the addition of seven new members of #TheMovement as part of the Class of 2025. The group of standout student-athletes come to University City from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ohio.
“We are incredibly excited to announce this group coming in,” said Reina. “This is our fourth recruiting class of the new era of Penn Wrestling, and we feel that they are going to deliver a great impact. They have experience coming from top programs across the country. These young men bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and excitement.”
Meet the Penn Wrestling Class of 2025
Richard Delsanter | 141/149
Mentor, Ohio | St. Edward High School
Watch Richard Delsanter
High School: Four-year member and captain as a senior for the wrestling team at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio … Three-time Academic All-Ohio honoree (2018, 2019 and 2020) … 2021 OHSAA state champion at 132 … rest of story at https://pennathletics.com/news/2021/3/30/wrestling-announces-2021-recruiting-class.aspx?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – NCAA Division I To Return To Recruiting Activities June 1
The NCAA announced today that recruiting dead period will end on May 31, 2021 and regular recruiting activities can begin on June 1, 2021.
All Division I sports will return to their regular recruiting calendars beginning June 1. The Division I Council approved the return to recruiting activities during its videoconference this week. Council members also acknowledged that schools in different areas of the country could be limited based on campus, local and state requirements.
“We are delighted to announce that as of June 1, all sports will return to their normal recruiting calendars,” said Council chair M. Grace Calhoun, athletics director at Pennsylvania. “We want to thank all prospective student-athletes, their families, coaches and current student-athletes for their patience as we determined the best way to move forward safely with recruiting in Division I.”
Football recruiting will look a little different in the next year, as the Council approved several adjustments aimed at providing recruiting opportunities for prospective student-athletes whose recruitment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Council issued a waiver to permit on-campus evaluations during unofficial visits during the days football camps and clinics are allowed in June and July 2021 only, with some restrictions. The number of evaluation days in the sport will increase from 42 to 56 during the fall 2021 evaluation period only. … rest of story at https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6968120-ncaa-division-i-to-return-to-recruiting-activities-june-1?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Penn State Wrestling’s Jarod Verkleeren Transfers To Virginia
By Matt DiSanto4/15/21 6:06 pm
Penn State wrestling’s Jarod Verkleeren announced Thursday he’ll transfer to Virginia to continue his college wrestling career.
“Grateful for the last 4 years at PSU and thankful for everyone who reached out to me during this process,” Verkleeren wrote on Twitter.
Verkleeren said he’ll pursue a master’s degree down in Charlottesville. At Penn State, he majored in health policy administration.
In his three-season Penn State career, Verkleeren started 19 duals at 149 pounds and finished with a 32-14 overall record. He qualified for last year’s NCAA Tournament, but it never came to fruition due to the pandemic.
Down south, Verkleeren will join an already-loaded Cavaliers team. The Hoos sent eight wrestlers to the 2021 NCAA Championships and finished 3-3 in a shortened regular-season slate.
Verkleeren burst onto the Penn State wrestling scene three years ago when he lifted Kent State’s Kody Kamara off his feet and threw him to the mat for a fall. . … rest of story at https://onwardstate.com/2021/04/15/penn-state-wrestlings-jarod-verkleeren-transfers-to-virginia/?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Lock Haven Wrestling announces 2021 Recruiting Class
Ahead of the 2021 fall season, LHU head coach Scott Moore has announced the 2021 wrestling recruiting class. The team welcomes nine new additions, all of whom have either signed a National Letter of Intent to compete at LHU or have been accepted and/or are enrolled at Lock Haven University.
By: Graduate Assistant: John Davern
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University Division I men’s wrestling team is welcoming the 2021 recruiting class. The team will welcome nine new additions, all of whom have either signed an NLI, or have been accepted and/or are enrolled at LHU.
The 2019-20 season ushered in new beginnings for LHU wrestling as Lock Haven officially opened its tenure in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Back in February, the team wrestled in the 2021 MAC Championships, where Luke Werner led the way for the Bald Eagles placing fifth. The 2021-22 season will mark the teams third season of tenure in the MAC. The 2021 recruiting class will provide important depth for the Bald Eagles and help transform those new beginnings into new victories.
“We are excited to announce this incoming class of recruits,” said Moore. “The depth of this class will create some great competition in the room and provide a strong base for the future of our program. We are confident that each of these guys will bring a strong work ethic and unique passion for Lock Haven wrestling. Our staff looks forward to helping them develop into successful, well rounded Division I student-athletes over the next four-five years. We are grateful to welcome each one of these young men into The Haven Family.” … rest of story at https://www.golhu.com/news/2021/4/20/wrestling-announces-2021-recruiting-class.aspx?mc_cid=1a96ae13a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Brown Wrestling Unveils Eight-Member Incoming Class of 2025
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University wrestling will welcome eight freshmen to the program for the start of the 2021-22 season as part of the Class of 2025, Brown head coach Todd Beckerman announced on Thursday.
The class includes state champions, state and prep finalists, nationally ranked wrestlers, and a combined 21 overall state medalists. The group comprises six student-athletes from the state of Pennsylvania alongside one wrestler each from New York and Nebraska. The group represents wrestlers from across the lower, middle, and upper weight classes.
“We are really excited to bring this recruiting class into the Brown community! Credit to our staff for finding the best and brightest,” Brown head coach Todd Beckerman said. “As we look ahead to competition next season, we know that they will play a big part in helping our program continue to move forward and bringing excitement for our alumni and fans to watch compete.”
The Brown wrestling Class of 2025 includes 184-pounder James Araneo (Stony Brook, N.Y.), 184/197-pounder Drew Clearie (Nazareth, Pa.), 165-pounder AJ Corrado (Burrell, Pa.), 141/149-pounder Sam McMonagle (Downington, Pa.), 141/149-pounder Ian Oswalt (Lower Burrell, Pa.), … rest of story at https://brownbears.com/news/2021/4/29/wrestling-unveils-eight-member-incoming-class-of-2025.aspx?mc_cid=8c1db46849&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Wrestling: Some Husker Seniors Make Decisions on Returning
Nebraska’s lower weights get a boost with the return of Liam Cronin and Chad Red, while Caleb Licking will not return
For Nebraska, much rides on the decision of its six seniors. No official word has been put out, but FloWrestling is reporting that three of these Huskers have made their decisions.“If a decision is listed beside a wrestler’s name, the wrestler or school has either announced it or I have confirmed the decision with the school or wrestler.” – FloWrestling
Both Liam Cronin and Chad Red Jr. are set to return for another senior year after this past year didn’t exhaust a year of eligibility. Cronin finished the year ranked No. 19 at 125 pounds, while Red sits at No. 7 at 141 pounds.
Fellow senior and 2021 starter Caleb Licking has elected not to return for another year, so the Huskers will need to find a new starter at 157 pounds. … rest of story at https://www.cornnation.com/2021/4/28/22406533/wrestling-some-husker-seniors-make-decisions-on-returning?mc_cid=db281dc0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – {Ohio} TOM RYAN ANNOUNCES ADDITIONS TO HIS STAFF
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State wrestling head coach Tom Ryan has announced two changes to his coaching staff. With the departure of Tervel Dlagnev in March, Ryan has turned to two familiar faces within the Buckeye family. Logan Stieber will step into an assistant coach position and will continue to be the head of the Ohio Regional Training Center. Bo Jordan has been elevated to an assistant coach after serving the last three seasons as the volunteer assistant.
“I couldn’t be happier with the composition of our staff. Adding a wrestler of Logan’s caliber is obviously amazing but it’s his overall being that should excite Buckeye Nation,” said Tom Ryan. “He is extremely knowledgeable, well respected and just an all-around great person. Promoting Bo Jordan was equally important to our program. I’m happy to be able to recognize the job he has been doing and look forward to his continued growth as a great coach.”
Stieber is one of four wrestlers to ever win four national titles in the history of NCAA Wrestling. He concluded his Buckeye career with an overall record of 119-3, boasting the highest winning percentage (.975) in school history. Stieber’s historic run through college included a pair of undefeated seasons when he went 27-0 as a sophomore in 2013 and wrapped up his career with a 29-0 senior campaign (’15). … rest of story at https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/tom-ryan-announces-additions-to-his-staff/?mc_cid=987a3385bf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Four-time state champion wrestler signs with Kent State University
Orr recorded a 168-6 record over his high school career
BUHL, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — A four-time state wrestling champion is making a move to the Division I level.
Kade Orr signed his National Letter of Intent with Kent State University.
The Buhl senior had more than 30 schools interested and started talking with them last year.
The Indian left behind a legacy that will be hard to match, four titles, a 168-6 record, five of those losses as a freshman and one ‘oopsie’, as he calls it, junior year.
The Golden Flashes compete in the Mid-American Conference and qualified four for this year’s NCAA Wrestling Championships.
Orr, who’s anticipating wrestling at 125 pounds has dreamed of becoming a Division I All-American.
Now he’s one step closer. “The guy right now in my weight, he’s super tough, but he’ll be gone after next year,” Orr said. “He’s a national qualifier, I’ll be working with him every day, their lightweight coach is amazing. Everybody there is super pretty close-knit, I’m super excited to be around them.” … rest of story at https://www.kmvt.com/2021/05/18/four-time-state-champion-wrestler-signs-with-kent-state-university/?mc_cid=ad9587b873&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Clarion Wrestling Announces Totality of 2020-21 Incoming Class
CLARION, Pa. – Head wrestling coach Keith Ferraro announced today the full class of individuals continuing their academic and athletic careers in Fall 2021. This year’s latest crop of Golden Eagle wrestlers includes 11 incoming freshmen, two Division I transfers and one wrestler – Reynold “Buzzy” Maines – returning to Clarion after a stint in the military.
Four of these wrestlers were announced as the newest members of the Golden Eagles during the early National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing period in November. … rest of story at https://clariongoldeneagles.com/news/2021/5/14/wrestling-announces-totality-of-2020-21-incoming-class.aspx?mc_cid=89b2bf9d78&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Edinboro Wrestling announces incoming 2021-2022 recruiting class
EDINBORO, PA – Edinboro Wrestling has announced the incoming class for 2021-2022, adding to a squad that finished fifth at MAC Championships this season. For head coach Matt Hill, this marks recruiting class number four in his Fighting Scot coaching career.
“This is a big class with a lot of potential with kids from all around the country from California to the New England Area. We are looking to build more depth in our wrestling room with this group and hopefully have a new face compete to step into the lineup right away. Coach James and I are very excited to start working with these young men this coming summer and can’t wait to see them develop over the next few seasons. … rest of story at https://gofightingscots.com/news/2021/5/17/edinboro-wrestling-announces-incoming-2021-2022-recruiting-class.aspx?mc_cid=a53f0e5e67&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – Maryland WRESTLING RECRUITING CLASS RANKED EIGHTH IN THE NATION
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The University of Maryland wrestling team’s 2021 recruiting class has been ranked No. 8 in the nation, Intermat announced. Intermat’s 2021 Team Recruiting Rankings factored in signee rankings, fit, filling a need, and impact on a program.
Maryland’s initial seven-man recruiting class – announced in November 2020 – was highlighted by four of the Top-100 high school wrestlers in the country. Head Coach Alex Clemsen is expected to add to the class in the coming weeks.
Gaven Bell, a three-time county champion from Huntington, N.Y. joins the Terps for the 2021 campaign. Braxton Brown, a three-time Texas state champion, joins the Terps after being ranked the #33 senior in the nation per FloWrestling. Adrien Cramer, a Fargo Champion and All-American, comes to Maryland after being ranked the #76 senior in the nation. Ethen Miller will begin his Terrapin career coming out of Park Hill High School (Mo.) ranked the #8 145-pounder in the nation. Sam O’Brian highlights the in-state talent in the 2021 recruiting class, as the Damascus native joins the Terps after winning third at the Maryland State Championships. Kevin Schork comes to College Park following successful career at St. Christopher’s School (Va.) where he was a three-time Virginia state finalist. … rest of story at https://umterps.com/news/2021/5/12/wrestling-recruiting-class-ranked-eighth-in-the-nation.aspx?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Stanford Wrestling Scores a Reversal!
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Great News for college wrestling fans as the sport will continue at Stanford next season! The University’s decision to cancel wrestling and10 other sports programs generated a large backlash and news coverage. The media stories all mentioned wrestling as an important sport at Stanford. Yet the decision did coast the school thei best coach in wrestling history. Coach Jason Borelli’s 122 dual meet wins is the most by any coach in Stanford’s history. He has left to lead the program at American University in Washington D.C. We wish him and his family well as they will get to see the sights and events on the east coast. For coaches looking for an opportunity to lead a quality team at a top class school they can apply at Stanford. Best wishes to you.
Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Stanford Announces the Continuation of 11 Varsity Athletics Teams
STANFORD, Calif. – Bolstered by an improved financial picture with increased fundraising potential, Stanford will continue 11 varsity sports that had been slated for discontinuation at the end of this academic year.
Stanford leaders announced today that while the structural financial challenges facing Stanford Athletics remain very real, changed circumstances including newly galvanized philanthropic interest have provided a new path to support the 11 sports. “We have new optimism based on new circumstances, including vigorous and broad-based philanthropic interest in Stanford Athletics on the part of our alumni, which have convinced us that raising the increased funds necessary to support all 36 of our varsity teams is an approach that can succeed,” said Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne.
In recent weeks and months Stanford officials have been engaging with groups of alumni, including the 36 Sports Strong group, that have been seeking to raise private funds to support Stanford’s teams. Stanford’s 36 varsity teams represent twice the average number of teams at NCAA Division I schools, and the university made the difficult decision last July to discontinue 11 of the teams due to a growing structural budget deficit in the athletics program.
Retaining all 36 teams will require a large-scale fundraising campaign for Stanford Athletics, and “we will need to ask for the support of the Cardinal faithful like never before,” Tessier-Lavigne, Provost Persis Drell and Director of Athletics Bernard Muir wrote in a letter to the Stanford community announcing the decision.
The 11 teams – men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball and wrestling – will continue competing as varsity teams at Stanford. “I am thrilled that we have found a way to continue sponsoring these varsity sports, which are an important part of the fabric of this university,” said Muir. “I believe the future is extremely bright for Stanford Athletics and am eager to begin the important work of galvanizing our community and cementing Stanford’s position of leadership and excellence in intercollegiate sports.” … rest of story at https://gostanford.com/news/2021/5/18/stanford-announces-the-continuation-of-11-varsity-athletics-teams.aspx
2 } – Two months after Shane Griffith’s NCAA title, Stanford reverses decision to cut wrestling
Shane Griffith joins Darren Cooper on Varsity Aces Live to talk about his crazy year, his championship and what he expects to happen next.DARREN COOPER AND MICHAEL V. PETTIGANO, NORTHJERSEY.COM
Moments after winning an NCAA wrestling title in March, Shane Griffith donned a ‘Save Stanford Wrestling’ sweatshirt as fans chanted that same mantra.
On Tuesday, that plea from Griffith and wrestling fans throughout the St. Louis Enterprise Center and beyond was granted by Stanford University. The school overturned its decision from last summer to discontinue wrestling, along with 10 other sports, thanks to an improved financial picture, university officials said Tuesday.
Griffith, a Westwood native and Bergen Catholic graduate, beat Pittsburgh’s Jake Wentzel in the 165-pound final to become just the second national champion in the 104-year history of the Stanford program. (Matt Gentry is the other, winning the 157-pound title in 2004.)
His run through the bracket, which included a dramatic sudden-victory upset of top-seeded Alex Marinelli (Iowa) in the quarterfinals, brought national attention to the “Keep Stanford Wrestling” crusade.
Griffith, who has three years of college eligibility remaining, now has a decision to make. He graduated from the school, so he can return to Stanford as a graduate student or transfer and enroll as a graduate student at another university. He said last month that he considered North Carolina, Michigan and Penn State to be his top choices.
It’s not yet clear how Stanford will rebound from a recruiting standpoint. Some of Griffith’s teammates have been in the transfer portal and the program is currently without a head coach after Jason Borelli left last month to take the head coaching job at American University. … rest of story at https://amp.northjersey.com/amp/5151114001?mc_cid=ad9587b873&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Stanford Reinstates Wrestling
STANFORD, Calif. – Bolstered by an improved financial picture with increased fundraising potential, Stanford will continue 11 varsity sports including wrestling that had been slated for discontinuation at the end of this academic year.
Sanford leaders announced today that while the structural financial challenges facing Stanford Athletics remain very real, changed circumstances including newly galvanized philanthropic interest have provided a new path to support the 11 sports.
“We have new optimism based on new circumstances, including vigorous and broad-based philanthropic interest in Stanford Athletics on the part of our alumni, which have convinced us that raising the increased funds necessary to support all 36 of our varsity teams is an approach that can succeed,” said Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne. … rest of story at http://www.win-magazine.com
4 } – Stanford students sue to stop school from canceling some varsity sports programs
Stanford’s decision to eliminate 11 varsity sports, nearly one-third of its intercollegiate sports program, was challenged in federal court Wednesday by athletes on eight of the teams, who say the university hid its intentions, misled them into enrolling and violated their rights. A separate suit by female athletes on five of the teams accuses Stanford of sex discrimination.
“The students are at the top of their game, and will lose the irreplaceable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfill their dreams to compete at the varsity level if Stanford is not stopped from eliminating these teams,” attorney Jeffrey Kessler said in a statement accompanying the suits, filed in U.S. District Court in San Jose.
“Stanford’s athletic opportunities disproportionately go to men already, and the plan to cut teams will affect more female athletes than male athletes,” said Rebecca Peterson-Fisher, lawyer for the women.
The university, whose overall intercollegiate sports program has been honored by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics as the most successful in the nation for more than two decades, announced abruptly last July that it would terminate 11 of its 36 varsity programs at the end of the 2020-21 school year for economic reasons. … rest of story at https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/Stanford-students-sue-to-stop-school-from-16169879.php?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Athletes sue Stanford over plan to eliminate 11 sports by end of school year
Stanford women file separate suit in federal court claiming sex discrimination over cuts
A group of Stanford athletes sued the university Wednesday over plans to cut 11 non-revenue sports programs at the end of the current school year for budgetary reasons made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Athletes from eight of the teams filed a suit in U.S. District Court in San Jose while women athletes from fencing, field hockey, rowing, squash and synchronized swimming alleged sex discrimination in a separate complaint in the same court.
The complaint said university officials misled students about their opportunities to participate at Stanford, home to the country’s most successful intercollegiate athletics program, thereby denying them a chance to pursue their sports at other colleges.
The first complaint alleges fraud, intentional misrepresentation and breach of contract.
In the parallel suit, women athletes said the planned cuts will eliminate more than 100 athletic participation opportunities for female athletes, leaving Stanford in violation of Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs.
The complaint said that the women would have to give up their Olympic dreams in favor of completing their Stanford educations if their five sports are not reinstated. … rest of story at https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/12/athletes-sue-stanford-over-plan-to-eliminate-11-sports-by-end-of-school-year/?mc_cid=cc121404a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – “You can’t cut me” – Stanford athletes and supporters rally to save athletic teams
When The Stanford Review learned that a massive protest event with hundreds of people would take place on campus today, we felt that we had to be there to get the facts. As Stanford’s premier outlet for coverage of mobs, sit-ins, angry mobs, blood-curse rituals, mobs blocking traffic, and crowds of activists, people rely on the Review for all their protest news.
The rally was organized by a group called “36 Sports Strong” to encourage the Board of Trustees to reinstate eleven varsity sports teams that were cut in July of last year (men’s fencing, women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed rowing, women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball, and wrestling). Alumni and athletes have campaigned for months to reinstate the teams, without success. The “Keep Stanford Wrestling” campaign raised over $12.5 million in the past year. But pressure on the Trustees picked up noticeably when a Stanford wrestler won the NCAA championship match two months ago. Today at 3:00 p.m, the Trustees met to reconsider their earlier decision, a dramatic shift. … rest of story at https://stanfordreview.org/stanford-athletics-rally/?mc_cid=db281dc0f1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Stanford Olympians lobby school to not cut 11 sports programs
Olympic fencer Alex Massialas and water polo star Maggie Steffens say Stanford can set an example by reinstating sports set to be cut
Two prominent Stanford Olympians on Thursday called on their alma mater to reinstate the 11 sports the university intends to cut because of budget issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fencer Alexander Massialas and water polo great Maggie Steffens said during the virtual Olympic media summit that Stanford can create a model the rest of the country can follow.
“Stanford sets an example amongst all the other NCAA schools as to how to have successful programs while also maintaining academic and athletic excellence across every single sport,” said Massialas, a two-time Olympic medalist in foil. Football and men’s basketball are the two major revenue-producing sports and get the most resources and attention at Division I schools. “Right now it is extremely dire,” Massialas added. “Everyone should acknowledge the current NCAA model is broken.”
In July, Stanford officials announced they would cut 11 sports at the end of this academic year. The sports are men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball and wrestling. … rest of story at https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/04/08/stanford-olympians-lobby-school-to-not-cut-11-sports-programs/?mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Can Stanford wrestling, and 10 other programs, be saved?
On July 8, 2020, Stanford wrestling coach Jason Borrelli was on the back nine during a round of golf when one of his assistant coaches sent him an unusual text.
Why are we locked out of our social media accounts?
“That’s weird,” Borrelli thought. He didn’t have an answer. The assistant reached out to a member of Stanford’s sports information department and was told the social media accounts were down for routine maintenance. Borrelli didn’t think much of it, but on the 18th hole, he got another message.
What’s this emergency zoom meeting we need to be on?
“I thought maybe there was just some announcement everyone needed to hear, but it was odd,” Borrelli said. “So I went back in and read the email again and this is when it hit me like a ton of bricks. It had head coach and assistant coaches from 11 programs. There’s no football, there’s no basketball. Well, this isn’t good. I still thought, ‘There’s no way — no way. They’re not cutting our program.”
Then his wrestlers started asking him why they, too, had an emergency zoom call. For Borrelli, that served as unofficial confirmation of the scenario he had been trying to convince himself wasn’t happening. A short while later, athletic director Bernard Muir made it official. … rest of story at https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/31229795/can-stanford-wrestling-10-other-programs-saved
9} – Effort to save Stanford sports gains traction: ‘Productive’ meeting with president
The door is cracked open to Stanford sports reinstatement. That’s the takeaway from Tuesday’s meeting between 36SportsStrong and university brass. The alumni group committed to saving the 11 Stanford sports programs slated for termination met by video conference with Stanford decision makers, including President Marc Tessier-Lavigne. “It was a productive meeting,” said Jeremy Jacobs, a former volleyball player and the spokesman for 36SportsStrong. “It is clear that President Tessier-Lavigne is considering our petition to reinstate the sports and our proposal to self-fund the teams. He told us he would consider it over the next few weeks. We will stay engaged with him.”
Tessier-Lavigne has asked for the advice of the university’s full board of trustees on the proposal. The board of trustees’ athletic subcommittee was involved in Tuesday’s meeting. … rest of story at https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/Effort-to-save-Stanford-sports-gains-traction-16098848.php?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Stanford’s Jason Borrelli hired as new head coach of AU wrestling
Borrelli brings an impressive resume with him to AU
By Owen Dunn | Thursday, April 15, 2021
After 13 strong seasons as the head wrestling coach at Stanford University, Jason Borrelli will bring his impressive track record to the East Coast, as he is set to take over as American University’s head coach, the University announced Tuesday.
In Borrelli’s last season coaching the Cardinal, Stanford wrestling finished with two All-Americans, its first national champion in 17 years, and swept the Pac-12 awards including Borrelli’s second Coach of the Year honor. Seven of the Cardinal starters qualified for the NCAA Championships. AU’s athletics department is excited to hire a coach with an impressive resume.
“I’m tremendously excited to announce Coach Jason Borrelli as American University’s Head Wrestling Coach,” said Billy Walker, AU’s Director of Athletics & Recreation, in an AU press release. “He has demonstrated excellence in all facets of running a nationally respected program. He takes great pride in cultivating a family atmosphere in his program and has a laser-like focus on ensuring his student-athletes succeed on and off the mat.”
Walker said Borrelli has a reputation of caring about the development of student-athletes.
Over Borrelli’s 13 seasons, the Cardinal sent 35 different wrestlers to the NCAA Championships – a total of 64 times. Over the past 13 seasons, American has sent wrestlers to the NCAA Championships 48 times. During his tenure, Borrelli’s wrestlers earned 21 individual Pac-12 championships, the most during any 13 years in program history. Despite leaving behind a successful program like Stanford, Borrelli and his wife Jenna are excited to switch coasts. … rest of story at https://www.theeagleonline.com/article/2021/04/stanfords-jason-borrelli-hired-as-new-head-coach-of-au-wrestling?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – OPTIMISM ON STANFORD SPORT REINSTATEMENTS AFTER PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ALUM GROUP
BY JARED ANDERSON 10 April 16th, 2021
Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne met with alumni advocacy group 36 Sports Strong, sparking optimism that 11 sports could be reinstated.
Stanford announced last summer that it would be cutting 11 varsity sports, including synchronized swimming and aquatic-adjacent sports rowing and sailing. Other sports cut were wrestling, men’s volleyball, squash, field hockey and women’s fencing.
That comes during a year that was brutal on Olympic and non-revenue sports at the college level, with multiple Division I swimming & diving programs cut amid financial issues in the coronavirus pandemic.
But The Stanford Daily reports that both sides say they are optimistic after the meeting between the school president and the alumni organization.
“We believe President Tessier-Lavigne and the Board’s Athletics subcommittee are trying to lead an earnest effort to review the decision,” said 36 Sports Strong representative Jeremy Jacobs in the Daily story. “We look forward to continuing the conversation about how this plan will work for Stanford students … rest of story at https://swimswam.com/optimism-on-stanford-sport-reinstatements-after-president-meets-with-alum-group/?mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – Stanford student athletes demand reinstatement of 11 sports
PALO ALTO, Calif. – Student athletes at Stanford University are demanding the school reinstate 11 sports after the school announced the sports would be dropped.
Some student athletes gathered at the school Monday to say they want to keep playing. The school announced last summer that it intended to cut the sports as a cost cutting measure. The student athletes tell said they are hoping for a buzzer beating decision that would save their sports at Monday’s board of trustees meeting.
The on-campus gathering of athletes and their supporters was in hopes of saving the sports currently set to be dropped at the end of this academic year.
The university announced last July that the sports, including wresting and synchronized swimming, would end after this academic year due to budget issues made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the course of the year the synchronized swimming team went on to win a national championship, and while one swimmer said she is proud of that achievement, she still remembers the devastation of learning this may be the last year she swims for her school. … rest of story at https://www.ktvu.com/news/stanford-student-athletes-demand-reinstatement-of-11-sports?mc_cid=c1dee7f2bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Minnesota adds girls’ state tournament
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Over 30 states will offer and host state tournaments for girl wrestlers on the high school level. The stories below are from last week up north in Minnesota. Big news for the growth of wrestling. We hope that the boys’ volleyball program effort is successful in their quest next year.
Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Minnesota girls’ wrestling state tournament approved; boys’ volleyball plan narrowly fails
In a matter of mere minutes Tuesday morning, the Minnesota State High School League dealt one high school sports advocacy group a serious blow while answering the hopes of another.
The league’s Representative Assembly voted narrowly to reject a proposal to add boys’ volleyball as a league-sanctioned sport. Not long after, the 48-member body, tasked with considering amending league bylaws, voted overwhelmingly to add a girls’ wrestling state tournament starting next school year.
In what Chad Shilson, director of Minnesota/USA Girls and Women’s Wrestling, called “the biggest news for female wrestling in Minnesota ever,” the vote creates a girls’ division within the wrestling state tournament. Girls will remain part of each school’s boys’ program for regular season training and competition.
Boys’ volleyball advocates were disappointed by the outcome, which fell just short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the measure. In all, 29 region reps voted yes and 18 voted no, with one person abstaining. … rest of story at https://m.startribune.com/minnesota-girls-wrestling-state-tournament-approved-boys-volleyball-plan-fails/600055977/?mc_cid=ce60503c93&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – MSHSL Approves Girls Wrestling Postseason Division
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — A Girls Wrestling Division during the postseason was approved today when the 48-member Representative Assembly legislative body of the Minnesota State High School League met for its annual meeting. In other action, the Representative Assembly fell two votes short of approving the addition of Boys Volleyball as a League-sanctioned activity.
Proposed bylaw amendments require a two-thirds majority vote for passage. Both amendment proposals were approved by 9 of the 16 administrative regions prior to reaching the Representative Assembly for consideration.
“Today’s meeting demonstrated the significant desire for youth sports programs to be adopted by the Minnesota State High School League and for students to have the opportunity to represent their school as they compete,” said Erich Martens, the League’s Executive Director. “The decision by our membership to offer our girls in wrestling the chance to compete for individual honors in their own postseason division is a big step. Minnesota now joins other regional states like North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Kansas and Missouri in offering this opportunity for girls wrestlers.”
The addition of a Girls Wrestling Division in the postseason will be enacted during the 2021-2022 school year. The amendment proposal was approved by a 44-4 vote. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/05/mshsl-approves-girls-wrestling-postseason-division/?mc_cid=ce60503c93&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – MSHSL to vote Tuesday on adding boys volleyball, girls wrestling for 2021
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota State High School League will be voting Tuesday to determine if boys volleyball and girls wrestling will be high school sports as early as the 2021-22 academic year.
The 48-member MSHSL legislative group is scheduled to meet virtually at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, and among the agenda items are to consider proposed amendments that would add boys volleyball and girls wrestling as sports. The panel needs a two-thirds majority vote (32 votes) to approve the sports, and they would be added as early as next fall if they pass.
GIRLS WRESTLING
There’s also a push to make girls wrestling a high school sport, starting in the winter of 2021-22. Nine of 16 administrative regions approved a request for a vote to have a girls varsity division as part of the winter wrestling season. Girls currently wrestle with boys in sanctioned wrestling programs, and compete in team and individual events at the high school level.
Under the proposal, girls would continue to train and compete with boys’ teams during the regular season, but would have the top to participate in a girls-only individual section and state tournament. It would run at the same time as the boys tournament. Girls would also be eligible to be on boys’ teams for dual tournaments at the section and state tournament level. … rest of story at https://www.fox9.com/sports/mshsl-to-vote-tuesday-on-adding-boys-volleyball-girls-wrestling-for-2021?mc_cid=812142449d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – MSHSL Representative Assembly to vote on adding boys volleyball, girls wrestling
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — The 48-member Representative Assembly legislative body of the Minnesota State High School League is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 11 in a virtual format at 9 a.m. Included in its agenda is the consideration of proposed amendments to add the sport of Boys Volleyball and a Girls Wrestling postseason division to the League’s programming of co-curricular opportunities.
A two-thirds majority vote is required for approval. If approved, the activities will be enacted for the 2021-2022 school year.
Here is a look at the amendment proposals:
Boys Volleyball
The request was approved by the required 9 of the 16 administrative regions during the winter of the 2019-2020 school year to advance to the Representative Assembly for consideration. By request of the authors of the proposed amendment, this was tabled until the Spring of 2021 for consideration and a vote. …
Girls Wrestling
This request, also approved by 9 of the 16 administrative regions, seeks a Girls Varsity Division as part of the winter wrestling postseason. Currently, girls wrestle with boys in the fully sanctioned wrestling programs and compete in team and individual competition. Under the proposed amendment, girls participants would continue to train and compete with the boys’ teams during the regular season, but would have the option of competing in a girls-only individual section and state tournament that would occur simultaneously with the boys postseason individual tournaments. As part of the proposed amendment, girls would be eligible to remain a part of the boys’ team for dual tournaments at section and state tournaments.
Twelve weight classes are suggested as part of the proposed amendment: 95, 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 160, 170, 182 and 220.
During the 2019-2020 season, 153 girls in Minnesota participated in high school wrestling. More than 21,000 female wrestlers are competing nationally. Thirty states have sanctioned girls wrestling as a high school varsity activity. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/05/mshsl-representative-assembly-to-vote-on-adding-boys-volleyball-girls-wrestling/?mc_cid=812142449d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&doing_wp_cron=1621356759.9932460784912109375000
5 } – Minnesota joins national push for more female wrestling opportunities
By Mary Rominger| May 14, 2021 at 7:44 PM CDT – Updated May 14 at 9:00 PM
MINNEAPOLIS (KEYC) — Minnesota joins the nationwide effort to increase opportunities for female wrestlers.
On Tuesday, the Minnesota State High School League reached a vote of 44-4 to approve a postseason format for girls wrestling next winter.
“It’s like anything that’s new, we need to communicate the opportunity and make sure everybody’s aware of exactly what the addition means. It won’t change a whole lot, certainly not immediately. We have a female football player, we’ve had those opportunities taken advantage of in my time here. The unique part of this one is it will eventually grow to a point where it becomes its own category and can run its own state tournament,” Mankato East activities director and MSHSL board member Todd Waterbury said.
Girls will continue to train and compete with the boys’ teams during the regular season, but will now have the option of competing in a girls-only individual section and state tournament.
In the Mankato East High School system, Waterbury says, there have been a small number of female wrestlers in the past.
The high school league reports that 153 girls in Minnesota competed in wrestling during the 2020-21 season. “It’s not just a Minnesota thing, I think it’s nationwide. You look at the success of a lot of our athletes at the Olympic level and the opportunities leading up to that have been pretty limited, unfortunately. … rest of story at https://www.keyc.com/2021/05/14/minnesota-joins-national-push-more-female-wrestling-opportunities/?mc_cid=89b2bf9d78&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
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Hand Raised – 4th Season, Column 4: Going All Upper Body; Left Coast Lunacy; And an Olympic viewpoint
USA MENS GRECO ROMAN TEAM READY TO BODYLOCK OLYMPIC SPOTS
As of the last weekend in April and a scant few months prior to Tokyo 2021 our Greco Roman team has qualified four of six wt. classes for the Games. The USA needs veteran 130kg Adam Coon and suprising, supremely talented 77kg Jesse Porter to finish top 2 at the last chance Olympic Qualifier this month in Bulgaria to get in. Odds are against them, especially it seems against Coon. The giant 3x AA and 2x NCAA finalist for Michigan was a Senior World Championships finalist his first time up on that stage, pinning his way to the finals and securing a Silver medal for the USA. For reasons unknown to this author Coon, and indeed many of America’s young GR stars, have seemed to shine brightest at their first international outings. Afterwards a disturbing trend of diminishing returns seems to emerge. Adam (on Instagram adam_coooon) did secure a 2019 Pam American Championship Gold(1) but since then it’s been slim pickings for the 6’5″ future astronaut. Its more likely that he will bring a medal home at the World Championships that will be held late this year after the Games. That is IF he can hold off our hard charging young superstar GR heavyweight, Arizona St’s Cohlton Schultz. Cited as a once in a generation talent and a wrestler who makes everyone around him better, Cohlton placed 4th at the NCAAs this year, his RS freshman campaign for the Sun Devils. Add that to his 3 medals in GR World level competitions before he turned 20 and his barely acceptable 188-2, 4 state titles record for Ponderosa (CO) HS, and you can easily see why so many people are still in doubt. Thats a joke, BTW. What’s seriously accurate is that the USA has really good GR big guys who need to show that several years running. Standing salty at #3 is Jacob Mitchell, who went the Clackamas (Oregon) CC/Colorado State-Pueblo route before linking up with the Army WCAP.(2) Ohio States Tate Orndorff will push to break through soon for us as well. The Buckeye, a Utah Valley transfer, was a National Runner-up in 2019 and a 2X United States Champ at age group level competitions. With all that high quality flesh Arbys is the logical sponsor for this weight class. At 77kg Jesse Porter came from WAAY back in the pack as he claimed our #1 spot from the 10th and last seed. There’s fascinating storylines attached to the affable Porter, and one of the more interesting ones concerns his sister, American FS star and wrestling Twitter personality/podcaster Alexis Porter. Big younger bro, a grad student at Northern Michigan, has been the top dog for the US at the U-23 level four years straight. Find him on Twitter @jporter_2015 and in Sofia, Bulgaria, in May as he, Coon, and FS 65kg American rep Jordan Oliver all attempt to qualify their wt class spots for Tokyo. It’s called the Last Chance Qualifier for a reason, folks. Wish them luck! The rest of Team USAs upper body bombers line up this way…60kg, Ildar Hafizov, WCAP. Thats SGT. Ildar Hafizov, US Army, thank you very much, former superstar and 2008 Olympian….for Uzbekhistan. This #StraightOuttaTashkent terror took multiple years off in the prime of his career to become an American citizen-soldier. He’s carried the Red, White, and Blue into battle since 2015. Can he medal? Maybe. He’s already won his biggest and best triumph, and you know what that was. 67kg: Alejando Sancho, WCAP. Sense a trend here? Our military men and women have been at the forefront of our World wrestling squads for a minute now, actually then some. SPC Sancho traces his roots back to a tough part of south Florida where Judo piqued his interests and helped put him off the streets and in the sights of a Sunshine State Hall of Famer. Albert Pardo terrorized opponents in the mid 80s as a South Miami Sr. High Cobra, going from there in 85 to graduating from SJSU in ’92. Pardo came home and built a juggernaut that ran 25 years. This real Cobra Kai was the 180 degree opposite of the movie version, as through a quarter century of wrestling intensity exactly NONE of Pardos … rest of story at https://morewrestlingplease.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/4th-season-column-4-going-all-upper-body-left-coast-lunacy-and-an-olympic-viewpoint/?mc_cid=f2268a753e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Michigan H.S.A.A. adds girls wrestling state tournament for 2021-22 school year
By Patrick Nothaft | pnothaft@mlive.com
Michigan’s top girls wrestlers will celebrate championships alongside the boys at the individual state finals beginning next year.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association announced Thursday the addition of a fifth division at the 2022 individual wrestling state finals that will crown girls state champions at 14 different weight classes.
Previously, girls needed to compete against boys in their quest for a MHSAA state title in Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4, which are divided up by school size. Girls can still choose to compete in the traditional divisions under the new format, but they cannot compete in both the girls and the boys.
The move is a result of the MHSAA representative council’s annual Spring Meeting on May 3, which also took into consideration 19 committee proposals and dealt with a variety of matters regarding high school sports, including mascot names, officiating and specific regulations for bowling, competitive cheer, golf, softball and tennis.
But the most significant development of the council’s biggest yearly meeting was the creation of a wrestling state finals division designed specifically for girls.
“Obviously wrestling fans are fans of boys and girls wrestling, but it’s a different community that’s been building and working to get to this point, and they’re going to be really excited,” said Michigan Wrestling Association President R.J. Bourdo. “They’re going to bring a whole other level of excitement, and it’s a pioneering event, so, especially next year, it’s going to be absolutely special. It’s hard to put it into words, but just a lot of hard work has gone into getting it to this point, so I think there are going to be a lot of a lot of people with eyes on that event next year, which is which is good for everybody.”
RELATED: Girls high school wrestling continues to grow in Michigan
Girls wrestling has been a sport on the rise in Michigan, with the number of girls competing at the high school level rising from 159 to 250 to 327 to 401 in the four-year span between the 2016-17 season and the 2019-20 campaign.
That growth prompted the Michigan Wrestling Association to start its own girls individual state finals with sponsorship help from the MHSAA, and in its 2019 inaugural year, it drew 167 competitors to Adrian College. A year later, that number increased to 254, and while the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to that number dropping to 210 competitors in March 2021, the MHSAA was confident enough in the growth trend that it decided to bring the tournament under its umbrella.
RELATED: See who won championships at 2021 Michigan girls high school wrestling state finals
“There are 30 other states that have sanctioned girl wrestling in some way, shape or form, and this validates that our state association recognizes and sees the value, the growth and the potential of girls wrestling as a viable division under their leadership,” said former Michigan Wrestling Association president Casey Randolph. “The MHSAA has been an integral part in helping develop girls wrestling and they believed in it from the start, so I think that through our partnership with the MHSAA and the Michigan Wrestling Association, we developed a product that everyone sees value in and sees the opportunity and potential for girls in the sport of wrestling within our state and across the nation.”
RELATED: Jackson-area female wrestlers spur growth, change in wrestling community
Randolph, who also coaches the girls wrestling team at Clinton High School, said moving the girls tournament to the same venue as the tournament primarily dominated by boys will be a boon for the sport.
“It’s proven that in other states, once the state association takes over girls wrestling, it has around an average of 300-percent growth, and I think that once girls, coaches, and people across our state see the MHSAA is now offering a fifth division in girls wrestling, they’re going to be more apt to try the sport, which is a step in the right direction toward growing girls wrestling tournaments and growing girls wrestling competitions. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2021/05/mhsaa-adds-girls-wrestling-state-tournament-for-2021-22-school-year.html?mc_cid=987a3385bf&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
