COMPLETE LIST OF USA WRESTLING SANCTIONED EVENTS FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS (as of May 17th)
USA Wrestling is regularly publishing a list of sanctioned events as our nation and our sport comes back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this article, there are 43 tournaments/clinics listed from 25 different states over the next three months. Since our posting on May 11, there are nine additional events which have been added to the list. The new additions are marked in bold.
The list provides an easy reference for athletes, coaches and families, in order to make plans for competitions moving forward. Not only is USA Wrestling providing events on its national schedule, but many state associations and local clubs are also developing events for athletes of all ages to participate in.
Our list will include events by date, as well as events by state.
New Jersey dded two sanctions this week. Other states with one new sanctioned event or clinic included Alaska, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The USA Wrestling Regional continue this weekend. Coming up are the Central Regionals in Indiana (May 21-23), the Southeast Regionals in Jacksonville, Fla. (May 20-23) and the Southern Plains Regionals in Kansas (June 4-6).
The remaining National event schedule includes the U.S. Beach Nationals and Masters Nationals in Jacksonville, Fla. (May 20-22), U23 Nationals in Lincoln, Neb. (May 27-29), USA Wrestling Kids Nationals in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (June 24-26) and the USMC Junior and 16U Nationals in Fargo, N.D. (July 16-23).
Included also are the three National Duals: the 14U National Duals in Franklin, Indiana (June 9-13), the 16U National Duals in Westfield, Indiana (June 9-13), the Junior National Duals in Tulsa, Okla. (June 15-19)
This information is also available through USA Wrestling’s membership system, TheMat.com website and on usawevents.com by using the system’s sort capability, but this posting will be an easy-to-use format for you to use in your planning.
Athletes should consider attending events in nearby states, especially if conditions do not allow for competitions in their own state at this time. Contact event directors for more information on the event details and eligibility requirements. Please forward this story to others seeking competitive opportunities. For more information on USA Wrestling events, visit https://usawrestlingevents.com/
SANCTIONED EVENTS BY DATE
***May 20-23: USA Wrestling Beach Nationals, Frank E. Rader Southeast Regionals, Veterans Nationals & Spartan Nationals Wrestling Tournament, Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water St., Jacksonville, Florida 32204, Event Director: Tony Black tblack@usawrestling.org
***May 21-23 – 2021 Central Regional Championships, Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805, Event Director: Pat Culp patculp@hotmail.com
May 21-23 – 2021 PAUSAW Greco/Freestyle State Championships, Spooky Nook Sports, 2913 Spooky Nook Road, Manheim, Pennsylvania 17545, Event Director: Joe Stabilito Sr. joe.stab@gmail.com
May 21-22 – AZ-USAW “State Freestyle Tournament”, Desert Vista HS, 16440 S. 32nd St., Chandler, Arizona 85048, Event Director: David Gonzalez gonzowrestler@gmail.com
May 22- #MotleyTrained FS and GR Clinic, The Loyal Order of Moose, 1400 George Washington HWY N, Chesapeake, Virginia 23323, Event Director: Travis Ferguson travis.ferguson82@yahoo.com
May 22 – Carl Junction Freestyle, Carl Junction High School, 1 Z Hwy, Carl Junction, Missouri 64834, Event Director: Ryan Lieberman cjtdc1@hotmail.com
May 22 – Delaware State Freestyle & greco qualifier, Red Lion Christian Academy, 1390 Red Lion Road, Bear, Delaware 19701, Event Director: Kurt Howell kurthowell1255@gmail.com
May 22 – HHH Individual Wrestling Tournament K-8th, The Loyal Order of Moose, 1400 George Washington Hwy N, Chesapeake, Virginia 23323, Event Director: Travis Ferguson travis.ferguson82@yahoo.com
May 22 – KCWA King of the Mountain Wrestling Tournament, Mountain Bible Church, 630 Maple St, Tehachapi, California 93561, Event Director: Curtis Nelson rhinowrestler1@hotmail.com
May 22 – Kumite Championship, St. Michael High School, 2901 Lee’s Summit Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64064, Event Director: Willard Barry willard.j.barry@gmail.com
May 22 – Mat Savvy Scramblefest, Top of the Podium Wrestling Center, 310 Glenn Dr, Sterling, Virginia 20164, Event Director: Logan Savvy Matsavvywrestling@gmail.com
May 22-23 – NJ Freestyle & Greco States, Sportika, 150 Woodward rd, Manalapan, New Jersey 07726, Event Director: Jeffery Dickman ejdickman@att.net
May 23 – 2021 VAWA ODP-TOP, Top of the Podium, 310 Glenn DR, Sterling, Virginia 20164, Evenr Director: Matthieu Burkett-Erice Matthieu.Burkett-Erice@outlook.com
**May 27-29 – 2021 UWW U23 Nationals, Bob Devaney Sports Center, 1600 Court St., Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, Event Director: Pete Isais pisais@usawrestling.org
May 28-31 – Riverview Training Camp, Riverview Bible Camp, 408771 WA-20, Cusick, Washington 99119, Event Director: Justin Newby jnewbyusa@gmail.com
May 29 – Blacklight Bash, Emerge Ministries, 605 S Main Street, Belton, South Carolina 29627, Event Director: Cheryl Baynard MatMom160@AOL.COM … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/May/17/USA-Wrestling-sanctioned-events-for-next-three-months-as-of-May-17?mc_cid=a53f0e5e67&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Seeking Wrestling History Information
TDR Editor’s Notes ; We are seeking to collect as many college dual meet records for each year a college had a team. We are also seeking the names of the head coaches for each year. From this we can compile and update lists of teams and coaches by winning percentages and most dual meet wins, Athletic departments are being contacted and asked to help fill us in on the history of thier programs. Yet, schools often do not have the records and then research is undertaken in wrestling publications such as the NCAA Wrestling Guide Books which were published from 1927-1982. Amateur Wrestling News issues are also a informative resource. Records from schools that discontinued their programs decades ago are especially dificult to find. We welcome information and records from alumni and former coaches or from other publications and records.
We are seeking NCAA Guide Books from before 1946, Amateur Wrestling News magazines from 1963-’67, ’76-’78, ’81-’87, and ’94-2005. We also seek to collect some issues of the W.I.N. magazine from their first 4 or 5 years. For those in North Carolina we hope to compile as many of the N.C. Mat News issues from 1970 thru 2015. We also welcome the National Federation of State High School Associations Rule Books from the 1970s and before as they have records of state championships of the previous years included in their publications.
Contact us martinkfleming@gmail.com and share your wrestling history with us so this project can be completed.
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Armstrong presented Lee Carroll Award
Undefeated state champion Javon Armstrong was presented the Lee Carroll Award for his excellence and determination in the 2019-2020 season. Armstrong was a two time state champion and three time state finalist. He now is a college student and football athlete.
Women’s Wrestling News (2021) – # 13 {High School}
TDR Editor’s Notes (4/30/21) # 2901; The growth in Girls High School wrestlers, teams and championships continues to grow even as some seasons have been delayed, and rescheduled for later in the year. Wrestlers persist and we anticipate that we can rebound to new heights in numbers in the fall of 2021. Keeping wrestling on! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – {Montana} John Letasky: State tournament concludes exciting first year of girls wrestling
ILLINGS — These girls wanted to wrestle. The drive for success was evident all season. Starting with the first practices of the year and ending with the state tournament in this inaugural season of girls wrestling in the Treasure State, the dedication, enthusiasm, talent and skill of the athletes was on display. It was a year that will long be remembered by Montana sports enthusiasts. Some of the girls were wrestling rookies, drawn to the chance to compete and bond through the addition of a new sport to the lineup.
Others had wrestled at the high school level previously, as girls who wrestled in grades 9 through 12 before this season competed against the boys and girls in the regular and postseason. And, there were some who were either current club level wrestlers, or who had competed in the sport at the youth level in the past. On Friday and Saturday at Lockwood High School 148 girls wrestlers from 47 different teams, including classes AA, A and B-C, competed in the first girls wrestling state championships sanctioned by the Montana High School Association.
… rest of story and links to more at https://billingsgazette.com/sports/high-school/wrestling/john-letasky-state-tournament-concludes-exciting-first-year-of-girls-wrestling/article_4d44473a-d953-5edb-be8e-eb790e4d47e7.html?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – {Colorado} Boundary to Boundary Colorado HS – Mead HS Head Girls Coach Rachel Salaz
Episode #83 of Boundary to Boundary Colorado HS is with Mead HS Head Girls Wrestling Coach Rachel Salaz. This being the first full sanction girls wrestling season in Colorado, many teams and school district have combine to become one team. This is the case at Mead HS as they are the St Varian School district host school. Rookie head coach Rachel Salaz is taking the task head on with six girls on the team this year. … rest of story at http://insidecoloradowrestling.com/index.php/16-high-school/1883-boundary-to-boundary-colorado-hs-mead-hs-head-girls-coach-rachel-salaz?mc_cid=7c3cd1ad34&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – NATIONAL GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS RELEASED FOR MARCH, AS 17 HIGH SCHOOL STATE TOURNAMENTS ALREADY HELD
USA Wrestling, FloWrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum has published its fifth 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 in girls high school wrestling, with numerous states completing their season and hosting their girls state championships.
As of this week, the following states have already hosted their official state sanctioned championships, or their unofficial recognized state championships: Virginia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Ohio, Utah, North Dakota, Florida, Montana, Idaho, Georgia, Nebraska, South Carolina, Iowa, Alabama and Indiana.The results from these state tournaments had major impact on this month’s rankings. There were also some big open high school events held during the month.
A number of other states are holding their high school seasons, with more state tournaments to come in March. Others have delayed their high school season until spring, and some states may not hold a high school state championships this year. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/05/National-Girls-High-School-rankings-for-March?mc_cid=92195b958e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Peach Named Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year
WATERLOO, Iowa – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum announced on Wednesday that Millie Peach of Iowa Valley High School has been chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year award. Peach will be presented her award during the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductions on June 25 at the Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly, Iowa. For more information on the induction ceremony, please contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org.
The award will be presented annually to the top female high school senior wrestler in Iowa. Peach made history by becoming the first wrestler to win three Iowa Wrestling Coaches & Officials Association state titles, compiling a perfect 9-0 record in the three tournaments. … rest of story at https://nwhof.org/blog/peach-named-iowa-high-school-female-wrestler-of-the-year/?mc_cid=2a2fd7a25b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – WYOMING SEMINARY GIRLS BEAT PENNSYLVANIA USA WRESTLING IN ALL-STAR FREESTYLE DUAL MEET
Carpenter Athletic Center on the snowy campus of Wyoming Seminary played host to Freestyle for Females: Wyoming Seminary vs. Team Pennsylvania today. The young Wyoming Seminary girls wresting team was led by freshmen Faith Bartoszek, Carina Giangeruso, Rianne Murphy, Tai Mallqui, Tiffany Stoshak, and Cloe Charlesworth, all who won their matches to lead the Blue Knights to a 62-43 win. Murphy and Charlesworth both picked up falls in their bouts. Cadet World team member Lilly Freitas picked up two technical falls. Other SEM wrestlers also won via technical fall, including Virginia Foard, Abby Duke, Piper Staniford, and Kendall Bostelman.
Team Pa started out with back-to-back wins from Juliette Trout and Julia Horger in the youth matches. Also earning victories on the day were Pennsylvania were Joelle Scott, Sierra Chiesa, Jael Mille, Alexa Ortiz, Jordyn Fouse, and Haylie Jaffe. A number of the matches including national ranked athletes, a great showcase of talent. “Today’s match was much needed mat time for our young team. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/21/SEM-vs-PA-girls-all-star-dual-meet?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4bhttps://www.steamboatpilot.com/sports/girls-outnumber-guys-on-soroco-wrestling-team/?mc_cid=83f6447486&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – SIX NO. 1 SEEDS WIN TITLES AS FIRST GIRLS FREESTYLE CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT INAUGURAL HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL RECRUITING SHOWCASE
CORALVILLE, Iowa – The national rankings will get trashed based upon the wide-open action and multiple upsets in the girls freestyle division during the first High School National Recruiting Showcase on Saturday. There were over 100 state champions who competed in the tournament, as well as numerous talented stars who earmed a spot in the field through one of eight qualifiers held across the nation. In total, over 100 nationally ranked wrestlers were in the field.
However, experience did matter in some weights, as six No. 1 seeds were able to survive the deep field in their divisions and secure the National Recruiting Showcase champion trophy. As a first-time event, these are the inaugural champions of the High School National Recruiting Showcase. Many have extensive international and national resumes, while others were truly making a big jump into the national limelight.
Claiming the 100 pound title was No. 2 seed Brianna Gonzalez of California, who edged No. 1 seed Alexandra Szkotnicki of Maryland, 8-6. With Gonzalez leading 2-0 at the break, the second period was filled with offense. With the score tied at 4-4, with just 40 seconds to go and Szkotnicki leading on criteria, … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/27/High-School-National-Recruiting-Showcase-girls-finals-wrap?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And LOADED GIRLS FIELD AT HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL RECRUITING SHOWCASE FEATURES OVER 110 NATIONALLY-RANKED ATHLETES
The field will be spectacular in the girls freestyle division for the first USA Wrestling High School National Recruiting Showcase, which kicks off on Saturday. For a first-year event, there has been an amazing show of talent in the girls division, with 111 nationally ranked athletes in the draw, as well as 112 state champions. Not all of the ranked wrestlers have been a state champion. Not all of the state champions are in the national rankings. This will truly be a chance for our nation’s best wrestlers to display their talents, by beating other talented stars.
The High School National Recruiting Showcase is being held in freestyle, which is the style these girls will compete when they advance to the college level. What makes this even a better chance to make a name for themselves is the fact that the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals will be held on the next day in the same arena. Girls in the National Showcase who choose to enter both tournaments will be able to bring home national titles and All-American honors in both styles on the same weekend. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/26/Preview-Girls-division-at-HS-National-Showcase?mc_cid=977ea0b267&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – With new star Maya Letona, Columbia women’s wrestling aims for victories and a varsity spot
As a high schooler, every day before she left for practice, first-year Maya Letona would look at a newspaper cutout pinned to her bulletin board: “Santa Cruz sophomore Maya Letona suffered a heart-breaking 1-0 decision to San Benito sophomore Jenna Hartman to finish in fourth place, one spot from a state berth.” The snippet from the Santa Cruz Sentinel was a stinging reminder of just how close she came to qualifying for the California Interscholastic Federation State Wrestling Championships tournament months before. Though it was only the second year of her wrestling career, Letona’s narrow defeat at the Central Coast Section tournament left her with a deep desire to compete at the highest level.
One year later, Letona won sectionals and placed seventh at states. A year after that, she won again at sectionals, as well as at the Napa Valley Girls Classic—one of the largest girls wrestling tournaments in the nation—and took home silver in the state. … rest of story at https://www.columbiaspectator.com/main/2021/03/24/with-new-star-maya-letona-columbia-womens-wrestling-aims-for-victories-and-a-varsity-spot/?mc_cid=1bb3332bd3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – {Ohio} ‘Wrestle like a girl:’ Dayton wrestling coach makes history, creates safe spaces for girls to train
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Britney Carrington is the new girl’s wrestling coach at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School. She says she is working to combine her passion for her hometown, and her passion for advocating for women in sports to start something new in the area. “There were very few female coaches in the area. It was just important to me that the girls in this area had a strong female role model to lead these types of practices,” she said.
So, with the help of a local business owner in downtown Dayton, she has created an open gym opportunity for girls of all ages and levels who want to learn more about wrestling. “There’s no other girl’s wrestling facility in the city limits that provides a place for girls to come together and wrestle together,” said Carrington. … rest of story at https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/wrestle-like-a-girl-dayton-wrestling-coach-makes-history-creates-safe-spaces-for-girls-to-train/?mc_cid=7907c53ef0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Here’s how Bald Eagle Area’s Grace Stem is thriving while trying to promote girls’ wrestling
If you ask anyone who follows wrestling which state is the best at producing talent, their answer will more than likely be: Pennsylvania. In fact, the Keystone State led all states with 17 All-Americans, including seven finalists, at this weekend’s Division I NCAA Wrestling Championships. That success makes it even more surprising that Pennsylvania is one of just 22 states that has yet to sanction high school girls’ wrestling. But Bald Eagle Area junior Grace Stem — who just won the 140-pound title at the MyHouse PA Girls State Championship in Lancaster on Sunday — believes momentum is building to change that. … rest of story at https://www.centredaily.com/sports/high-school/article250133209.html?mc_cid=1bb3332bd3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And {Colorado} Girls outnumber guys on Soroco wrestling team
OAK CREEK — Soroco High School was at the forefront of girls wrestling 10 years ago when sophomore Lauryn Bruggink became the first female to win a match at the state tournament. At the time, girls wrestling wasn’t a thing. There were just girl wrestlers, and Bruggink, now Lauryn Edmonds, was one of the first to do well against the guys. Now, 10 years later, in the first-ever Colorado High School Activities Association-sanctioned season of girls wrestling, Soroco is making history again, boasting one of the biggest small-town teams with six girls. Freshman Larhae Whaley, daughter of head coach Jay Whaley, has been wrestling since she could walk. It’s never been a foreign sport for her. She’s never felt out of place on a mat, since she’s always been there.
“It’s pretty natural. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. She’s also always wanted a state title, something she’ll get her first crack at this year in the state tournament at the Southwest Motors Event Center in Pueblo on March 20. McKenzie Clark will also try to get back to state after missing the podium last winter. … rest of the story at https://www.steamboatpilot.com/sports/girls-outnumber-guys-on-soroco-wrestling-team/?mc_cid=83f6447486&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – COVID no match for the growth of PA girls wrestling
MANHEIM—It was barely a year ago that the #SanctionPA movement kicked off, an effort seeking the PIAA sanctioning of girls wrestling in the state of Pennsylvania. The number of girls participating in the state was exploding, increasing at nearly exponential rates. Then came the pandemic.
All of a sudden the entire sports world was thrown into flux, with more questions than answers. Somehow, though, the number of girls participating in the sport at the high school level still rose, and the number of school-sponsored teams rose to nine. Many of those girls descended upon the Spooky Nook Sports Complex Sunday, battling for one of ten state championship gold medals at the MyHouse/PAUSAW Girls Folksyle State championships.
“Nobody had any idea what would happen with the pandemic,” said #SanctionPA volunteer Leah Wright. ”But the number of girls just at the high school level rose by 30-percent, and girls-only clubs started springing up all over the state for girls of all age groups. The interest is there, and is only getting stronger. State sanctioning would give these girls the same opportunities for coaching and competition that the boys have.” … rest of story at https://papreplive.com/2021/03/21/covid-no-match-for-the-growth-of-pa-girls-wrestling/?mc_cid=7490ba8a46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – MOORE, ESTRADA WIN 16U GIRLS FOLKSTYLE TITLES, THEIR SECOND GOLDS OF WEEKEND; ALL YOUTH DIVISIONS RESULTS HERE
CORALVILLE, Iowa – The first session of the 2021 USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals has been completed, with action in the youth age divisions (8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U). Champions and All-Americans were crowned in all of these divisions. In the 16U division, which featured a number of nationally ranked high school girls, two of the stars were champions Shelby Moore of Washington (122) and Zao Estrada of South Carolina (112). Both were champions in freestyle on Saturday night at the High School National Recruiting Showcase, and followed up on Sunday morning with titles in the 16U division at Folkstyle Nationals.
Moore, who is ranked No. 7 nationally in high school coming into the weekend, pinned Celeste Detoles of Utah in the finals in 1:32. Moore had three pins and a decision in her bouts, and was named Outstanding Wrestler in the 16U division. Estrada, ranked No. 24 nationally in high school before these tournaments, pinned another ranked high school wrestler, No. 18 Emma Albanese of Nevada in the finals in 2:25. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/28/Girls-Folkstyle-Nationals-16U-and-youth-wrap-and-results?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – MOORE WINS GIRLS FOLKSTYLE NATIONALS JUNIOR TITLE, HER THIRD GOLD THIS WEEKEND, WHILE FOUR OTHERS WIN A SECOND TITLE
CORALVILLE, Iowa – Shelby Moore of Washington finished a memorable weekend with her third USA Wrestling national title, capturing the 122-pound title in the Junior division at the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle National Championships on Sunday night. Moore was a champion at 122 at the inaugural High School National Recruiting Showcase, a loaded freestyle event, on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, Moore was a champion in the 16U division of the Girls Folkstyle Nationals, and was named Outstanding Wrestler in the age-division.
Her third title came in a Junior finals battle against Gianna DiBenedetto of California, which ended as a solid 7-0 victory for Moore. She was able to score the key takedowns and control the action in all positions. Moore was ranked No. 7 nationally in high school coming into the weekend, while DeBenedetto was ranked 21st in the USA.
Two other wrestlers were able to win Junior titles in both styles this weekend, with a freestyle title at the High School National Recruiting Showcase on Saturday and a folkstyle national title on Sunday: Rose Cassioppi of Illinois (164) and Eliana Bommarito of Michigan (225). Cassioppi won a rematch … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/28/Girls-Folkstyle-Nationals-Junior-results?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NC STATE WRESTLING: Wolfpack Wrestling Announces 2021 Signing Class
Wolfpack Wrestling Announces 2021 Signees
RALEIGH, N.C. – Coming off three straight ACC Championships, the NC State wrestling team will add yet another highly regarded recruiting class to add into the mix for the 2021-22 collegiate season.
Although class rankings have not been released yet by recruiting sites, the Pack’s 2021 haul is expected to be yet another top class for NC State. The 2016 recruiting class (soon-to-be Super Seniors in 2022) was the #1 class nationally, followed by the 2018 class being ranked #3 overall. The Wolfpack put together another top-10 class that were freshmen in 2020-21, as the Pack’s class of 2020 was ranked #8.
Last year marked the third time in five years the Wolfpack’s recruiting class was ranked in the top-10 nationally, and was the third straight class ranked in the top-20.
COMPLETE BIOS ON THE WOLFPACK’S SIGNEES (listed by tentative future weight class):
Stevo Poulin
125 pounds
Shenendehowa, N.Y. • Shenendehowa HS … rest of story and bios at https://gopack.com/news/2021/4/28/wrestling-packwrestle-announces-2021-signing-class.aspx
12 From @PackWrestle to Compete at UWW Junior & Senior Nationals
Former national champion Gwiazdowski will also be in action
RALEIGH, N.C. – Twelve current members of the NC State Wrestling team will travel to Coralville, Iowa, this weekend to compete at the 2021 UWW Junior & Senior Nationals.
The winners of each Junior Nationals weight class will make up the 2021 Junior World Team and compete at the Junior World Championships (October in Norway). The top five placers from the Senior Nationals will qualify for the 2021 U.S. World Team Trials (Sept. 3-5). All matches will be streamed on FloWrestling.
Three members of the Pack will compete in both freestyle and Greco-Roman: Nick Reenan, Hunter Lewis and Isaac Trumble.
Senior Nationals
Freestyle
57kg – Jakob Camacho
74kg – Hayden Hidlay
86kg – Trent Hidlay
86 kg – Nick Reenan … rest of story and list at https://gopack.com/news/2021/4/29/wrestling-12-from-packwrestle-to-compete-at-uww-junior-senior-nationals.aspx
April 30, 2021 — TDR Blog # 2900
NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 17
TDR Editor’s Notes ; This gathering of story parts and links to the full stories and other resources about Division I wrestlersand teams. Most of the stories at the top of the list and the bottom are in reference to the horrible announced decision by Stanfordto discontinue their wrestling team for next year in spite of the recent success. The rest of the stories and linksin between are of awards presented to the Top wrestlers for the past season. Keep wrestling going on! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Michigan apparel company gets assist in Stanford wrestler’s protest over decision to cut program
Stanford University wrestler Shane Griffith recently won the 165-pound championship at the Division I finals, but that’s not the only reason he made national headlines. What set the sports world buzzing was that Griffith and his teammates refused to wear anything with the Stanford logo. The Cardinals made the move to protest the school’s decision to cut the wrestling program after this season.
You know those photos of Griffith celebrating his victory at nationals that have popped up across social media in recent days? The black singlet Griffith wore was produced by the Lowell-based Addix Sportswear, 13565 Grand River Drive SE. … rest of story at https://www.mlive.com/sports/2021/03/michigan-apparel-company-gets-assist-in-stanford-wrestlers-protest-over-decision-to-cut-program.html?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Stanford’s political maneuvering and greed
March 11-13, an event took place I call “the real March Madness.” No offense to basketball but no one can deny that the NCAA Wrestling Tournament happens in March and — it is truly madness. This year’s tournament was no exception; despite the difficulties posed for the season to even happen because of COVID protocol and restrictions. Among the athletes who participated, none faced greater challenges than Stanford’s wrestlers.
In July of last summer, the Stanford coaching staff and team were informed the university was cutting their sport, along with 10 other programs: … rest of story at https://www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/columnists/stanford-s-political-maneuvering-and-greed/article_dd459fc4-90f5-11eb-a64e-afef3cc021d5.html?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Tell Stanford to Reinstate All 11 Cut Teams
We are 36 Sports Strong, a group of alumni representing all 36 of Stanford’s varsity teams dedicated to reinstating 11 recently cut varsity sports.Sign Our Petition
Make Your Voice Heard
Share your protest directly with Stanford leadership. Email key decision makers and urge them to meet with 36 Sports Strong and reinstate all varsity teams. Send Emails Now
Fact Checking Budget Claims
Bernard Muir continues to misstate the numbers. Learn the real facts about cutting 11 varsity programs.Learn More … rest of story at https://www.36sportsstrong.org/
And Fight to save Stanford sports gains hope: School president to meet with alumni group
After months of being stonewalled by Stanford administration, the group fighting to save the 11 sports programs slated for elimination suddenly has new hope.
On Tuesday, 36SportsStrong — the alumni group working to restore the targeted teams — will meet with Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne, at his request. The group has been told that the athletic subcommittee of the university’s board of trustees will consider its petition to save the programs. The board of trustees meets next week. This is the first sign that Stanford is reconsidering its decision. … rest of story at https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/Fight-to-save-Stanford-sports-gains-hope-School-16084676.php?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And 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. … 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
And Inside the journey that brought Bergen County’s Shane Griffith a NCAA wrestling title
It’s a script that seems to be made for Hollywood. Shane Griffith is just waiting for it to completely sink in. Griffith is still processing the emotions – and the countless number of texts and Instagram messages that came his way – after winning a national title last month at 165 pounds.
The former Bergen Catholic star was serenaded with cheers after winning what’s likely the final match in Stanford’s 104-year wrestling history. An athlete who was forced to train in bathrooms and living quarters had somehow reached his sport’s highest level. Not bad for someone who came “really close” to sitting out the season. “I like to be pretty determined and shoot for the moon,” said Griffith, of Westwood. “Winning it has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. It’s just awesome to fulfill that.” … rest of story at https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/college/wrestling/2021/04/06/keep-stanford-wrestling-inside-shane-griffiths-road-ncaa-title/7104712002/?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Jesse Dellavecchia Named 2021 MAC Wrestler of the Year
Dellavecchia became Broncs’ first-ever National Finalist
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University graduate student 157 lbs. wrestler Jesse Dellavecchia (Great River, NY/East Islip [Binghamton]) has been named Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Year, the league office today announced. Dellavecchia became Rider’s first-ever NCAA Finalist, while also becoming a two-time MAC Champion. He becomes Rider’s first MAC Wrestler of the Year and the school’s first conference Wrestler of the Year since Chad Walsh earned the honor in consecutive years in the EWL in 2016 and 2017.
“This is a tremendous and well-deserved honor for Jesse,” said Rider Head Coach John Hangey. He had a great season, representing Rider University and the wrestling program. Jesse was the highest-placing student-athlete from the MAC and the only finalist from a non-Power 5 institution at NCAA’s. We are extremely proud of Jesse and his accomplishments this season and throughout his entire career.”
Dellavecchia won his first 11 matches of the year, including a pin of then-nationally-ranked No. 1 Ryan Deakin of Northwestern in the NCAA semifinals. He became Rider’s 18th NCAA All-American. … rest of story at https://gobroncs.com/news/2021/4/5/wrestling-jesse-dellavecchia-named-2021-mac-wrestler-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=a167ed32cf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Roman Bravo-Young celebrates national wrestling title locally with close ones
The scene at Jet Sports Training on Friday was appropriate with some of Roman Bravo-Young’s closest family members, friends and supporters on hand to celebrate the Sunnyside High School graduate’s first NCAA wrestling championship.
Jet Sports Training owner Bobby Rodriguez, another Sunnyside grad who has helped train Bravo-Young and is like a brother to him, had his place decorated with large foil balloons that read “National Champ” with a Penn State flag hanging in between the words. Bravo-Young’s closest supporters ate Mexican food catered by Little Mexico and music played by a DJ filled the spacious workout facility that is on the city’s southside, where he was raised.
A few tables were topped with Penn State tablecloths and blue and white balloons — Penn State’s colors which also happen to be those of Sunnyside. On display on one of the tables was Bravo-Young’s 133-pound NCAA national championship wrestling trophy. … rest of story at http://allsportstucson.com/2021/03/28/roman-bravo-young-celebrates-national-wrestling-title-locally-with-close-ones/?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Steveson named InterMat Wrestler of the Year
Minnesota heavyweight Gable Steveson dominated his competition in 2021, finishing 17-0 with 14 of the 17 wins resulting in bonus points. Steveson defeated Michigan’s Mason Parris 8-4 to win the NCAA title at heavyweight and extend his winning streak to 34 straight wins.
On Monday, Steveson was named 2021 InterMat Wrestler of the Year. Presented each year since 2006 to the best collegiate wrestler in all divisions, the award is based exclusively on the balloting of writers at InterMat. Each writer is asked to select five wrestlers and rank them from first to fifth. Point values are assigned to each placement, ranging from one point to a wrestler listed fifth on a voter’s ballot, up to nine points for a first-place vote.
Steveson received seven of the 10 first-place votes from InterMat writers to garner a total of 84 points. It marks the eighth straight year the award has gone to a Big Ten wrestler.
Three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee of Iowa, the 2020 InterMat Wrestler of the Year, received the other three first-place votes and came in second in the voting with 74 points. Penn State NCAA champions Roman Bravo-Young, Nick Lee and Aaaron Brooks finished third, fourth and fifth respectively in the voting. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24465?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Hodge Trophy 2021 Co-Winners
For the first time since 2001, there are co-winners of the WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy, presented by ASICS Wrestling.
Last season’s winner Spencer Lee of Iowa and Gable Steveson of Minnesota wound up in a virtual tie, with Lee winning the Fan Vote (25,712 to Steveson’s 5,202 votes), but multiple members of the formal Hodge Trophy Voting Committee voting for co-winners with both Steveson and Lee having such similar Hodge Trophy voting criteria stats.
The Hodge Voting Committee is made up of all past winners of the award, several retired college coaches from each region of the country, and select national wrestling media. “We have had fairly tight races before but nothing like this year,” said Mike Chapman, creator of the award back in 1995. “It’s an amazing year in so many respects. When you look at what COVID did, cutting the season at least in half and causing such chaos, it was a very difficult season for everyone.”
And that was especially true for Lee, who was wrestling in the NCAA tournament with two torn ACLs. In winning the trophy for the second straight time, the Hawkeye junior posted a 12-0 record with five pins, three tech falls and four majors. Lee got bonus points in 91.7% of his matches. Only one wrestler, Brandon Courtney of Arizona State, managed to go the distance, and Lee defeated him in the NCAA finals, 7-0. … rest of story at https://www.win-magazine.com/2021/03/29/20335/?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Dan Hodge Trophy: History, winners and how it works
The Dan Hodge Trophy honors the top college wrestler every year. It was established in 1995 and is named after the legendary Dan Hodge, who was an NCAA champion, Olympic medalist, multiple-time NWA champion and ambassador for the sport of wrestling.
The award was established by longtime wrestling journalist and wrestling hall-of-famer Mike Chapman and presented by his WIN Magazine. The Hodge is equivalent to college football’s Heisman Trophy and has been presented to 28 wrestlers in its 26-year history, though some of those wrestlers have won the award more than once. The award has only been awarded to two wrestlers in the same year twice: once in 2001 when Iowa State’s Cael Sanderson split the award with Simpson College’s Nick Ackerman and once in 2021 when Iowa’s Spencer Lee split the award with Minnesota’s Gable Steveson.
Here’s a look at the history and selection process for the award, along with a complete list of the winners.
Dan Hodge Award history
The Hodge Trophy has a long history, but there are a few special facts about the trophy:
- T.J. Jaworsky, the first winner of the Dan Hodge Trophy, is the only University of North Carolina wrestler to win the Hodge. Jaworsky won his third NCAA title in 1995 and was voted the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA tournament that same year
- Only one athlete has won the Hodge Trophy three times: Cael Sanderson. … rest of story at https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2021-03-29/dan-hodge-trophy-history-winners-and-how-it-works?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – LEE CONTINUES TO MAKE HISTORY
IOWA CITY, Iowa — When you dominate the way University of Iowa wrestler Spencer Lee does, it’s easy to remember the match that got away.
It was another season of demolition for the Hawkeye 125-pounder, who outscored opponents 141-15. For Lee, the match that got away wasn’t even a loss. It was the only bout of his 12 that didn’t end as a bonus-point victory. “I almost had a 100 percent bonus rate,” Lee said. “I missed it by one point in the (NCAA) finals.” Lee won his third consecutive NCAA title March 20 in St. Louis with a 7-0 victory over Brandon Courtney of Arizona State. Iowa head coach Tom Brands knows it could have been a major decision.
“You talk to your athletes about going out and earning awards and championships, sometimes these things are out of your hands a little bit, but this one was firmly in his grasp,” Brands said. “I mean, 7-0 in the finals. He could have cut him and got a major and he would have had 100 bonus point percentage, but he kept him down to keep the zero on the scoreboard.” … rest of story at https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2021/03/30/lee-continues-to-make-history/?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And HAWKEYE WRESTLING TO BE RECOGNIZED AT KINNICK STADIUM
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa will celebrate the 2021 NCAA Championship Hawkeye wrestling team April 17 at Kinnick Stadium following the Iowa football open practice. The open practice begins at 9:30 a.m. (CT). The championship recognition begins at approximately noon. Admission to both events is free. Fans will be required to wear masks. Additional information will be released prior to the event.
The top ranked Hawkeyes won the 2021 NCAA Championships on March 20 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. The team title is the 24th in program history and the first since 2010.
Iowa head coach Tom Brands was named NWCA National and Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year for the second straight season. … rest of story at https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2021/04/07/hawkeye-wrestling-to-be-recognized-at-kinnick-stadium-april-17-2/?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – David Carr Named Big 12 Wrestler of the Year
IRVING, Texas – David Carr, the 2021 Big 12 and NCAA champion at 157 pounds, has been named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year, the conference announced on Tuesday. Carr is the first Iowa State wrestler to win this award since the Big 12 started awarding it in 2016.
The Canton, Ohio, native’s 2021 resume included a perfect 20-0 mark on the year, making him the only undefeated wrestler in the Big 12. He posted five wins by major decision, four by fall and four by technical fall for a bonus-rate of 65% on the season. Carr saw 11 of his wins come over opponents ranked in the top-20 nationally.
In accomplishing all of this, Carr was named a finalist for the Dan Hodge Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s most dominant wrestler.
Carr’s march to becoming the Big 12’s top wrestler culminated with a title performance at the NCAA Championships. The two-time All-American claimed the 157-pound crown with a 4-0 decision over Rider’s Jesse Dellavechia in the finals. At the NCAA Championships, Carr went 5-0 and didn’t yield a single takedown. He outscored his opponents by a 40-10 margin. With his championship performance, Carr became ISU’s 300th All-American in program history. He is the school’s 50th wrestler to win an individual NCAA Championship … rest of story at https://cyclones.com/news/2021/3/30/wrestling-david-carr-named-big-12-wrestler-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Bucknell’s Zach Hartman voted EIWA Wrestler of the Year
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bucknell’s Zach Hartman was named the EIWA Wrestler of the Year, the conference office announced Wednesday afternoon. Hartman became the first Bison to earn this prestigious award after winning an EIWA title and earning All-America laurels during the 2020-21 campaign.
At the EIWA Championships, Hartman went 3-0 en route to winning the 165-pound championship. Already a two-time EIWA runner-up, he joined Andy Rendos (165, 2010), current assistant coach Kevin LeValley (149, 2011) and Joe Stolfi (285, 2014) as Bucknell’s EIWA champions. He also became the second Bison to earn the EIWA Coaches’ Trophy as the EIWA Championships’ Outstanding Wrestler, joining LeValley. He also qualified for his third NCAA Championships. Hartman’s sixth-place performance at the NCAA’s premier event was the third highest by a Bison. Previously, Tom Marchetti (167) finished fourth in 1989 and Rendos (165) went fifth in 2009; Rendos also took sixth in 2010. Hartman was the sixth Bison wrestler to earn All-America laurels, joining Marchetti , Bryan Burns (190, 1991), Bobby Ferraro (177, 1994 & 1995), Rendos and LeValley (149, 2010 & 2011). In addition, he joined Marchetti as Bucknell’s second NCAA semifinalist. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24479?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b\
11 } – ACC Announces 2021 Wrestling Season Honors
GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – National champion Austin O’Connor of North Carolina has been chosen the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Year and heads up the sport’s 2021 season award winners announced on Wednesday.
O’Connor is joined by ACC Freshman of the Year Sam Latona of Virginia Tech, while NC State’s Pat Popolizio and Pitt’s Keith Gavin received the nod as ACC Co-Wrestling Coaches of the Year. ACC season honors are determined by a vote of the league’s head coaches.
The second-seeded O’Connor’s 3-2 win over No. 1 seed Sammy Sasso of Ohio State in the 149-pound final on March 20 secured UNC’s first NCAA wrestling gold medal since 1995 and the 20th all-time NCAA individual title by an ACC wrestler. It marked the sixth NCAA title all-time by a Tar Heel wrestler.
O’Connor, a redshirt junior from Lockport, Illinois, also successfully defended his conference title in the 149-pound weight class at the ACC Championships on Feb. 28. He finished the season 13-0, including a 6-0 mark against ACC opponents.
Virginia Tech’s Latona placed sixth in the 125-pound weight class at the NCAA Championships to earn All-America honors in his first season competing attached for the Hokies. … rest of story at https://theacc.com/news/2021/3/31/athlete-awards-acc-announces-2021-wrestling-season-honors.aspx?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – WATCH: AJ Ferrari Throws Out First Pitch, Rips off Shirt Before Bedlam Baseball
OSU wrestling superstar AJ Ferrari hit his famous flex celebration on Tuesday night inside O’Brate Stadium after throwing out the first pitch before Bedlam baseball.
Ferrari delivered a strike down the middle then wandered in front of the OU dugout before flexing. He then proceeded to rip his shirt off, leaving his white tank top in shreds. Because, why not? When you’re the most ripped dude in the stadium, I think the rules allow for it. … rest of story at https://pistolsfiringblog.com/watch-aj-ferrari-throws-out-first-pitch-rips-off-shirt-before-bedlam-baseball/?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Olympic gold: ‘Keep Stanford Wrestling’ aims to save program
The Stanford logo was missing on Shane Griffith’s all-black wrestling singlet when he won an NCAA national title last month. By design. To draw attention. He also celebrated his victory at 165 pounds by donning a black sweatshirt which read: “Keep Stanford Wrestling.”
Griffith’s way — his team’s way — of making a statement after the school announced in July that wrestling, which has been at Stanford since 1916, and 10 other sports would be dropped to save money. The Cardinal wrestling community organized fundraising efforts and has raised about $12.5 million so far. The program may not be pinned to the mat just yet — or so they’re optimistically hoping. “We’re still in confusion and kind of in denial of what happened,” said Griffith, who competed on March 20 in what — for now — could be the last match in program history. “Because we don’t have a feasible answer from them to move on with our lives.”
Stanford wrestling is one of at least 85 Division I sports programs to be shuttered since the coronavirus pandemic started a year ago because of financial strains. Olympic and college-sports leaders fear it will only continue as changes in the college system take hold. … rest of story at https://www.startribune.com/olympic-gold-keep-stanford-wrestling-aims-to-save-program/600043797/?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&refresh=true
And 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
High School News (2021) – # 14
TDR Editor’s Notes ; The long delayed North Carolina High School wrestling season will finally start later this week. We urge fans to support their wrestlers and team. Attend matches, and encourage students to wrestle. It is a great opportunity and this year there is a chance for new, inexperienced students to join in and give wrestling a try. As the number of students that are attending school in person and other sport seasons are well under way there is a need for wrestlers to fill the line-ups. Join in and Keeping on Wrestling!
Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – {Minnesota} – Believe: Kimball Area wins first 1A wrestling team championship
The Cubs fell behind 15-0 in the first three matches in the finals before rolling to victory, using their season-long one-word motto.
NICK KELLY, Special to the Star Tribune 03/27/21,
Kimball Area wrestlers celebrate their Class 1A wrestling championship. The Cubs defeated Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie in the final duel match Saturday at St. Michael-Albertville High School. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine
The Kimball Area wrestling team didn’t enter the 2020-21 season with any complicated goals. No fancy mission statements. Just one word. Believe.
Introduced by assistant coach Doug Joseph at the beginning of the season, “believe” was adopted as its motto. Before the Cubs could actually defeat section opponent Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City for the first time in a decade, they had to believe it. Then before the Cubs won the first state title in program history, they had to believe they could.
And then they did it. Top-seeded Kimball defeated No. 3 Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie 49-21 to win the Class 1A state wrestling title Saturday at St. Michael-Albertville High School. “We like to personify the word ‘believe,’ ” Cubs coach David Joseph said. “We told them yesterday and today, ‘Belief doesn’t know what the score is. It just keeps going.’ ” Kimball proved that Saturday. … rest of story at https://www.mnwrestlinghub.com/news_article/show/1154851?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Forest Lake senior wins fourth title, at tough 132-pound weight class
News and notes from the Class 3A individual meet.
JIM PAULSEN, Star Tribune 03/26/21,
Before the Class 3A wrestling state tournament, the 132-pound weight class was considered the toughest, including four-time state champion Reid Ballantyne of Stillwater and three-time champ Derrick Cardinal of Forest Lake. But the top seed was undefeated Zach Hanson Lakeville North.
Ballantyne withdrew before the individual meet because of injury. Cardinal and Hanson lived up to expectations, meeting for the championship. Cardinal, a senior, got an escape in overtime for a 3-2 victory to join the exclusive club of four-time champions. “It feels really good and satisfying to prove everyone wrong,” said Cardinal, now with a school-record 240 victories. “When I first moved down to 132, they had me ranked No. 3, behind Reid and Hanson. Then they bumped me up to No. 2. That win over Zach proves that I should have been No. 1 the whole time.” … restof story at https://www.mnwrestlinghub.com/news_article/show/1154583?mc_cid=977ea0b267&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Wagner, Hellman, and Springer are MWCA Coaches of the Year
Every spring at tournament time coaches from each high school section vote for their respective Section Head and Assistant Coach of the Year. Head coach selections are then put on a ballot to be voted on by all coaches at the State Tournament for Class AAA, AA, and A Coach of the Year.
2021 State Coach of the Year selections are: Class A – Bill Wagner of Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie, Class AA – Brian Hellman of Princeton, and Class AAA – Todd Springer of Anoka. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/03/wagner-hellman-and-springer-are-mwca-coaches-of-the-year/?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – {Pennsylvania} – Defeats drive Wirnsberger to be better
The start of Cade Wirnsberger’s high school wrestling career could not have gone much better. He won 30 of his first 32 matches, and captured sectional and district titles. However, he was eliminated at the regional tournament, one round short of the state tournament.
So — despite suffering more regular-season losses — Wirnsberger said he was more pleased with his sophomore season at Meadowbrook Christian. A season that ended earlier this month with Wirnsberger earning a sixth-place medal at the Class 2A state tournament. “It was a pretty successful season,” Wirnsberger said. “I definitely took my losses, but I got a state medal. I was not at the top of the state podium, but one of my goals was to get a state medal. I won when I had to in the postseason.”
It was the first state medal won by a Meadowbrook wrestler. The Lions are only in their second season as a program. “It’s awesome for Cade and the program,” Meadowbrook Christian coach Garth Watson said. “It does leaps and bounds for the program, and it’s exciting for the kids around him. It’s great for wrestling at Meadowbrook. We’re a tight-knit family.”
Wirnsberger’s performance on the mat, his academic performance (3.9 GPA) and his commitment to community service are why he was selected as The Daily Item’s Scholar-Athlete of the Week, sponsored by SUN Orthopaedics of Evangelical, as well as PPL Electric Utilities. The award honors local student-athletes who thrive in the classroom, in the community and on Valley playing fields. Wirnsberger’s success on the wrestling mat and in the classroom are tied together. “When I’m wrestling, I’m very on-task and I don’t get distracted,” Wirnsberger said. “That shows through in my school work. I try to get the best grades I can.” Watson added: “He’s just a good student. He’s got a lot of discipline, a lot of drive.” Part of what drove Wirnsberger to the podium in the Hershey Center this year was the disappointing end to last season. … rest of story at https://www.dailyitem.com/sports/defeats-drive-wirnsberger-to-be-better/article_37cad810-85fc-5acd-bd3d-5cd123439981.html?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – {Massachusetts} – New COVID protocols hit the mat, wrestlers and coaches just happy to compete
Two wrestlers went to shake hands after a bout last week between Mainland Regional and Vineland, a natural instinct for high school athletes and a routine sight at matches. The official intervened, reminding them to refrain from contact. Wrestlers across the state are finally permitted to compete on the mat again after more than a three-month wait. But the COVID-shortened season brought many new guidelines to ensure health and safety amid the pandemic to an already protocol-heavy sport.
Schools are encouraged to provide two mats to allow disinfecting between matches. Two schools, Mainland and Ocean City, purchased new cleaning tools that use ultraviolet light to disinfect mats. Wrestling coaches see the changes as necessary so their athletes can have a season — even if all of the new rules don’t make sense. “A few years ago, who would have thought that we would all be walking around in masks, but now it’s protocol,” Ocean City coach Dan Calhoun said. “You do it. It’s definitely different, but if it gives us a chance to compete, I’m all for it.”
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, which governs most high school sports in the state, released five pages of “wrestling guidelines and considerations” … rest of story at https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/high-school/new-covid-protocols-hit-the-mat-wrestlers-and-coaches-just-happy-to-compete/article_aeaacba6-b75b-5fc8-a732-d3fba4b09e5d.html?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – {New York} – Wrestling community frustrated with Erie County recommendation against high school season
Mike Catanzaro has played three football games this season as a senior outside linebacker and running back for Williamsville North. However, according to a recommendation last week from the Erie County Department of Health, the risks of spreading Covid-19 are too great to allow Catanzaro to participate this spring in wrestling, his best sport. “ECDOH made the recommendation for the season to be postponed or canceled based on high levels of community transmission and the inability of competing wrestlers to wear a mask,” the health department said in a statement.
The state had given counties the authority to allow higher-risk sports to proceed. Erie County gave its approval in January for basketball, football and ice hockey. However, on Jan. 28, the Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara county health departments advised against holding a wrestling season at that point. Section VI responded by moving wrestling to the spring. … rest of story at https://buffalonews.com/sports/high-school/wrestling-community-frustrated-with-erie-county-recommendation-against-high-school-season/article_30d71440-a07a-11eb-a284-3be0b1a0c836.html?mc_cid=82e9baddf8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – {Ohio} –Buckeye’s Palmer captains T-L wrestling
Not since Shadyside’s Alex Quinn stood high atop the awards podium in 2013 as an Ohio High School Athletic Association state wrestling champion had The Times Leader coverage area recorded another state titlist. Buckeye Local’s Brian Palmer Jr. ended eight years of frustration recently when he duplicated Quinn’s Division III state championship at 152 pounds. The Buckeye Local senior achieved his goal with a 5-1 decision over Dalton junior Tate Geisler inside a COVID-restricted gymnasium at Marion Harding High School.
With his accomplishment, Palmer Sr. serves as the captain of the 2021 all-Times Leader Wrestling Team, which is announced today. The 14-member squad — representing four schools — all earned the distinction by qualifying for the 84th annual Ohio state tournament.
A brief capsule of each honoree follows:
PALMER, JR. — A 4-time state qualifier and three-time state placer … rest of story at https://www.timesleaderonline.com/sports/local-sports/2021/03/buckeyes-palmer-captains-t-l-wrestling/?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – {New Jersey} – Kittatinny wrestling coach reaches rare milestone in upset over High Point
His powder blue shirt dress shirt tucks perfectly into a pair of gray slacks, and somehow as he screams from the corner of the gym, nothing looks disheveled.
3/25 – 7:00 PM WrestlingFinalHigh Point30Kittatinny36
Complete Box Score »
He’s worn the same color shirt, same tie and same color pants for 43 years as Kittatinny’s wrestling coach. Nothing has changed this year, either, except now, John Gill has a mask to match. An icon in the sport, Gill became the fifth coach in state history to reach 600 career wins on Thursday night when his team upset rival High Point, … rest of story at https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2021/03/kittatinny-wrestling-coach-reaches-rare-milestone-in-upset-over-high-point.html?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } {New Jersey} – Long Branch wrestling with winless season
By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.
The Long Branch High School wrestling program has been one of the best in the state. They have won an impressive 22 divisional titles, 14 district championships, six NJSIAA sectional titles, three consecutive Shore Conference Tournament and NJSIAA Group 2 titles from 2008-to-2010. In 2020, the Green Wave finished 18-7 overall and were 7-3 against Shore Conference opponents and went 5-2 in the A North division. They won the District 23 title, placed second in the A North, and were NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 sectional semifinalists.
However, this season has been very uncharacteristic for the Green Wave. In their first six matches they have been outscored 319-100 and are winless. Howell defeated Long Branch 60-9 to start the 2021 season. Middletown South then beat them 57-13, Marlboro won 52-21, CBA took a 60-14 win and Freehold Township pulled out a very close 39-31 win, and Colts Neck defeated the Wave 48-12. One of the major reasons for this year’s downswing in Long Branch is the pandemic. Many parents and athletes just didn’t want to risk the chance competing in a shortened season. … rest of story at http://thelinknews.net/2021/03/28/long-branch-wrestling-with-winless-season/?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – {Pennsylvania} – Waynesburg routs Central Dauphin to capture 1st PIAA wrestling title
MECHANICSBURG — A year ago, Waynesburg made a run to the PIAA Class 3A team wrestling championships and came up just short of capturing the first PIAA title in any sport in Waynesburg history. Although it was a devastating loss for the Raiders, 172-pound senior Luca Augustine also called it an “enlightening” one as it truly showed the Raiders what they were capable of. “For me, personally, I didn’t think we were going to make it that far,” Augustine said. “But once we made it, it kind of opened our eyes to what we could actually do. It put it into perspective for us.”
Waynesburg coach Joe Throckmorton said from that day on the Raiders put in the work they needed to get back to the state championship this season. On Saturday at Cumberland Valley, the Raiders saw their hard work pay off. After taking down District 4 champion Williamsport, 50-13, in the PIAA semifinals, the Raiders only allowed District 3 champion Central Dauphin to score three points in the state final as they cruised to a 42-3 victory and earned the first state title in school history. “We’ve looked at this goal for a long long time and we wrestled our hearts out tonight,” Throckmorton said. “When they do that, I know really good things are going to happen … rest of story at https://tribhssn.triblive.com/waynesburg-routs-central-dauphin-to-capture-1st-piaa-wrestling-title/?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – {Nebraska} – Kearney Hub Wrestler of the Year: With season canceled in Colorado, Beau Hostler found a home at KHS
KEARNEY — Beau Hostler was hardly a familiar face on the Kearney High wrestling team. He didn’t enroll at KHS until three days before wrestling practice started. Yet, he found a place in the lineup and, eventually, into the state tournament 145-pound finals, There, he lost a 2-1 decision to Grand Island’s Brody Arrants that kept him from his ultimate goal — a state championship. Getting a chance to compete for that gold medal was behind the senior’s move to Kearney from Broomfield, Colorado.
The state of Colorado, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, was taking a cautious approach to wrestling. Boulder County, which includes Broomfield, already had canceled the high school wrestling season. That was a setback for Hostler, who had been a state runner-up in 2020. “At the time, we didn’t think we were (going to wrestle) in Colorado. And my dad and uncle both wrestled at Kearney High School, so that’s what led me here,” Hostler said. … rest of story at https://kearneyhub.com/sports/high-school/khs/kearney-hub-wrestler-of-the-year-with-season-canceled-in-colorado-beau-hostler-found-a/article_087b4b52-8ebd-11eb-b872-a3121ac8011d.html?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – {Ohio} – State title helps Bees’ wrestler stay true to his career goal
by Sheldon Ocker
Victor Voinovich has it all mapped out. Win a couple of state wrestling titles for Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, continue to refine his sport at Oklahoma State University, qualify for the U.S. Olympic team and eventually forge a career as a college wrestling coach. The odds of winning a spot on the Olympic team might be longer than the chances of winning a million dollars in the lottery. But Voinovich has already delivered on the first two steps of his journey. As a high school freshman, he won a state championship at 145 pounds but fell to third as a sophomore. Then came 2020, when Voinovich was among thousands of disappointed high school athletes who were forced to forgo sports because of COVID-19.
Voinovich was back at it this year, and in mid-March he defeated Lakewood St. Edward’s Evan Bennett 3-0 at 152 pounds to win his second state title. “When you win a state title in Ohio, especially as a freshman, you’re going to be on everybody’s radar,’’ said Todd Haverdill, the Bees’ head wrestling coach. Voinovich became a target of some of the most prestigious collegiate wrestling programs in the country, including Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa, Iowa State and, of course, Oklahoma State. That’s the equivalent of a football player being recruited by Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Choosing Oklahoma State wasn’t necessarily a no-brainer, but when the coach of a legacy program like the Cowboys comes knocking, you’re not likely to slam the door on his foot. Why Oklahoma State over Penn State and Cornell, his final three choices? … rest of story at https://www.scriptype.com/2021/04/19/state-title-helps-bees-wrestler-stay-true-to-his-career-goal/?mc_cid=5c73249ed8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – {Michigan} – Family reunion: Dad Craig Zeerip (Fremont’s coach) and sons Justin and Collin (Whitehall’s coaches) will lead their teams at Tuesday’s state wrestling finals
The last time Craig Zeerip and sons Justin and Collin were at the state high school team wrestling finals together – at least as participants – was way back in 2007. Craig was an assistant coach of the Hesperia squad at the time, while Justin and Collin were standout wrestlers for the team. The Panthers lost in the state quarterfinals that year on a tie-breaker, and Justin graduated a few months later. The next year Hesperia won the state championship with Craig as an assistant coach and Collin a sophomore wrestler, but Justin wasn’t part of it.
Justin Zeerip, Craig Zeerip and Collin Zeerip.
But there is still a chance that the father and two sons could all become state champions together, in their respective coaching roles. Their first opportunity will come on Tuesday at the Michigan High School Athletic Association state team wrestling finals at Wings Events Center in Kalamazoo. Craig Zeerip is the seventh-year head coach of the Fremont squad, which won a regional title last week and qualified for the Division 2 state quarterfinals. Justin and Collin Zeerip are in their third year as co-coaches of the Whitehall wrestling team, … rest of story at https://localsportsjournal.com/2021/03/family-reunion-dad-craig-zeerip-fremonts-coach-and-sons-justin-and-collin-whitehalls-coaches-will-lead-their-teams-at-tuesdays-state-wrestling-finals/?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – {Virginia} – High school wrestling: Martin to return to Great Bridge
CHESAPEAKE — A legend is back. Steve Martin, who led Great Bridge to 12 wrestling state championships in 13 years before leading Old Dominion for 16 years, is returning for a second stint as the Wildcats’ coach. Martin will officially begin the job in the fall after his contract with ODU expires this summer. “As I went through the last year looking at my options, it always came back to being involved at some level,” said Martin, who also considered collegiate options after ODU discontinued the wrestling program last spring. “I think timing-wise, it just kinda happened out of nowhere. But I think all things work out for a reason and I’m thankful to be able to help in the sport of wrestling at Great Bridge.”
Martin became Great Bridge’s coach in 1991 and compiled a 306-15-1 record, coaching 40 state champions, 98 state place-winners, 35 All-Americans and six national champions. His teams were nationally ranked all 13 years, and the 2003 and 2004 squads earned the nation’s top public school honor. At Old Dominion, Martin sent dozens of wrestlers to the NCAA championships and won 172 dual meets to tie the record set by ODU’s first coach, Peter Robinson.
“He’s a very driven guy,” Great Bridge athletic director Sean Townsend said. “And obviously his résumé — I haven’t gotten a résumé that impressive before. … rest of story at https://www.pilotonline.com/757teamz/vp-sp-steve-martin-great-bridge-20210402-donlceu3ffcfpll4bcl7mranbm-story.html?fbclid=IwAR28jCxVcoCLhgrbws30lhbHt-tjB2SLpTQcLcAUCK_DIpVAGnJ-662USIk&mc_cid=b369974b64&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#icb-arc-story-id
And {Massachusetts} – No welcome mat for area wrestling this season due to coronavirus
NORTON — In the 15 years that Pat Coleman has served as the wrestling coach at Norton High, the only time that the Lancers have had less than a .500 record was in Coleman’s debut campaign. Since then, the Lancers have been successful on the mat for 14 consecutive winning seasons. During that span, Coleman and the Lancers have claimed two MIAA Division 3 state championships, a pair of state runner-up spots and six sectional titles. This 2020-21 high school winter season, there will be no chase for Coleman and the Lancers. The EEA and MIAA have stamped a “high risk” label on the sport of wrestling and banished it from the list of approved competitive sports when the winter season will likely commence on Nov. 30.
With close body contact, the potential for the transmission of the coronavirus has taken wrestlers statewide off of the mat. “A couple of months ago, things were starting to look better, but the recent spikes have really killed us,” Coleman said of the slim glimmer of hope that wrestling coaches had for a season. “When we met 10 days ago, the coaches had a lot of ideas about it,” Coleman added of preseason discussions among wrestling coaches statewide. “We kind of agreed that maybe we shouldn’t even start until the first week of January, that we should only wrestle in dual meets. One of the things that we thought was going in our favor was that wrestling, while being a contact sport, is one on one.
“Once those two kids were done (after three two-minute periods or less) and come back and put their mask on and socially distance, the next two guys go out. “Then when you think about basketball and there’s 10 kids bumping around over a long period of time. We kind of hoped that one on one for six minutes would allow for it, but it was out of our hands.” … rest of story at https://www.thesunchronicle.com/sports/local_sports/no-welcome-mat-for-area-wrestling-this-season-due-to-coronavirus/article_493f842c-69eb-578d-b122-909179b9e85e.html?mc_cid=ebacab18d4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
International Wrestling News (2021) – # 6
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Stories of human interest from the Olympic Team Trials and other activities from the USA International teams. Also included are some stories about Olympic qualifiers from other nations. Keep wrestling onward! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – USA WRESTLING RELEASES NEW GRECO-ROMAN MENTORSHIP PROGRAM VIDEO SERIES WITH HOST CHAEL SONNEN; EPISODE 1 FEATURING GRECO-ROMAN TEAM LEADER JOHN BARDIS OUT NOW!
USA Wrestling is excited to announce a new video series in collaboration with MMA icon and former Greco-Roman National Team member Chael Sonnen. The series features Sonnen interviewing members of the recently-formed Greco-Roman Olympian Coach-Mentor program, which consists of 35 individuals, including Sonnen, who are deeply connected to the sport. The mentorship group is composed of former Olympic and World Team athletes and coaches who will work with current Greco-Roman athletes to help prepare them to take on the best international wrestlers in the world.
In the first episode, Sonnen, a 2000 World University Championships silver medalist and former UFC title contender, interviews John Bardis, the Greco-Roman Team Leader for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Bardis previously served as Team Leader for the Greco-Roman program during the Beijing Olympic quadrennial from 2005-2008, and under his leadership Team USA earned their first Greco-Roman World title in 2007. He is a driving force behind the creation and implementation of the mentorship program. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/22/Bardis-and-Sonnen?mc_cid=7490ba8a46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – WIBN Philly Webinar: Bill Zadick, 2006 World Champion and Team USA men’s freestyle coach – SOW11
On March 11, World Champion and current Team USA Men’s Freestyle wrestling coach Bill Zadick joined the Philadelphia Chapter of the Wrestlers in Business Network for a virtual speaking engagement. Zadick discussed the landscape of freestyle wrestling, the rise back to prominence for Team USA, how he’s worked with a network of coaches around the country to build the team and how his day-to-day operations as a national team coach compare and contrast to working in business.
Zadick also talks about his career as a wrestler and what’s driven him as a coach heading into the next Olympic cycle. He’s also talked about being a new father and how the work-life balance is important in the high pressure world of coaching. … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/state-of-wrestling/wibn-philly-webinar-bill-zadick-2006-world-champion-and-team-usa-mens-freestyle-coach-sow11/?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – NATIONAL TEAM COACHES TERRY STEINER AND BILL ZADICK HEADLINE EPISODE 3 OF HEADS UP – A USAW COACHES COUNCIL PODCAST
National Women’s Freestyle Coach Terry Steiner and National Men’s Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick join Mike Hagerty and Mike Clayton on the third episode of the Heads Up – A USA Wrestling Coaches Council podcast. The pair discuss the upcoming Olympic Team Trials in depth and give some insight about the challenges that come with leading their respective programs. Watch the full episode … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/31/National-Coaches-Terry-Steiner-and-Bill-Zadick-hedaline-episode-3-of-Heads-Up?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Pan American Wrestling Championships moved from Rio to Guatemala City
This year’s Pan American Wrestling Championships have been moved from Rio de Janeiro to Guatemala City as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. United World Wrestling (UWW) confirmed the switch after the Brazilian Wrestling Federation reported concerns about the country’s COVID-19 situation. Brazil has witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases, with more than 42,000 confirmed yesterday.
There were nearly 2,000 deaths – more than reported in any other country in the world. Overall, Brazil has reported more than 12 million cases and more than 314,000 people have died. It means that holding the Pan American Championships in the 2016 Olympic host city has proved impossible. Rising COVID-19 cases in Brazil mean the event cannot be held in the 2016 Olympic host city ©Getty Images
Guatemala City has been chosen as the replacement after the country’s sanitary protocols were presented to the Executive Committee of the UWW Bureau. The dates for the competition will remain the same – May 27 to 30. Four editions of the Championships have previously been held in Guatemala City – in 1993 and then three consecutive editions in 2003, 2004 and 2005. … rest of story at https://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php/articles/1106049/pan-american-wrestling-guatemala?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Just Before The Trials, Spencer Woods Shares Personal Look At Alaska
The 2020 US Olympic Trials for Greco-Roman wrestling are less than two days away and Spencer Woods (87 kg, Army/WCAP, 5PM #9) wants to spread a little love…while also setting the record straight.
Woods — who qualified for the Trials back in the fall of ’19 by placing second at the Bill Farrell Memorial in NYC — has on numerous occasions proudly shared his Alaskan heritage (material to that effect can be found both here and here). He also calls himself “The Alaskan Assassin”, a not-so-subtle arrow pointing to his upbringing. But now that he is on the cusp of appearing in the biggest tournament of his career thus far, the 22-year-old wants to take it a step further; and the beginning of the pandemic over one year ago is actually when it all started.
Woods was still a student at Northern Michigan University when COVID first swung like a hammer and wrecked everything in its path. Schools were promptly shut down, … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/army-wcap/spencer-woods-alaska-video/?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – J’DEN COX IS NOT ENTERED IN U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS – WRESTLING
FORT WORTH, Texas – J’den Cox (Colorado Springs, Colo./Titan Mercury WC/USOPTC) missed weight and will not compete at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Under the rules of the event, Cox has been removed from the bracket at 97 kg in men’s freestyle, where he was entered pending weigh in. He had earned a spot in the semifinals, based upon winning a 2019 World medal in a non-Olympic weight class (92 kg). The bracket for that weight class has been adjusted. Cox was a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and 2017 World bronze medalist at 86 kg, then won consecutive World titles in 2018 and 2019 at 92 kg. He was a three-time NCAA champion at Missouri, and … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/02/97-kg?mc_cid=b369974b64&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And J’den Cox says Olympic Wrestling Trials removal due to miscommunication
World champion J’den Cox said he was removed from the Olympic Wrestling Trials before they began after his coach told him the wrong time window for weigh-ins. Cox “missed weight,” according to USA Wrestling’s announcement that Cox was out of Trials after Friday morning’s weigh-ins. Cox, a 2016 Olympic 86kg freestyle bronze medalist, was taken out of Friday’s bracket. He had been slated to wrestle Friday for a place in Saturday’s 97kg finals against Olympic champion Kyle Snyder. “I was informed with the wrong times of when weigh-ins were supposed to be, … rest of story at https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/04/03/jden-cox-wrestling-olympic-trials/?mc_cid=7136a52740&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – 2021 Olympic Team Trials Challenge Tournament Results and Finals Matchups
Aside from the drama surrounding the weigh-in status of two-time world champion and 2016 Olympian bronze medalist, J’Den Cox, the morning session at the Olympic Trials generally went according to plan. Most knew that would not be the case in the evening session. The semifinals and challenge tournament finals featured some of the best action of the day and a handful of upsets.
Perhaps the bracket with the most chaos was 65 kg in the men’s freestyle division. Both 2019 Final X participants, Zain Retherford and Yianni Diakomihalis, were upset victims in the semis. Retherford fell to 2019 NCAA runner-up, Joey McKenna, in a shootout that saw McKenna capitalize and score exposure points on Retherford’s offensive attempts. Diakomihalis was defeated by former training partner Jordan Oliver. The two-time national champion from Oklahoma State rallied late in the second period and grabbed a single leg and ran Diakomihalis out of bounds for a step-out point. The tipped criteria in Oliver’s favor with only six seconds remaining in the bout. Since no one is waiting in the Trials finals at 65 kg, both advanced without competing in the challenge tournament finals.
The most anticipated bout of the entire tournament is officially set as Kyle Dake dominated Jason Nolf 11-0 in the challenge tournament finals. That sets up another chapter in the rivalry between Dake and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24488?mc_cid=b369974b64&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS SESSION III DRAMA: NATIONAL TEAM BERTHS FOR GRABS, RETIREMENTS AND SPECTACULAR WRESTLING
FORT WORTH, Texas — Saturday’s Session 3 of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling at Dickies Arena might seem to the uninitiated like a perfunctory procedure to establish the top three places.
In reality, it’s much, much more. A third-place finish at the Trials is significant. It triggers funded access to the Olympic Training Center and, more importantly, access to reimbursed travel opportunities that far outweigh the stipend an athlete would receive. But, just like any tournament, the back side of the bracket is a grind.
Saturday had its share of forfeits, as injuries piled up and desire drained after the dream of a trip to the Tokyo Olympic Games had evaporated. On this day, though, there was plenty of high-level action, which elicited oohs and aahs from the limited crowd. Of the many storylines that emerged, argubably none was more compelling than the journey of one Benji Peak (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club). Seeded No. 11 out of 12 wrestlers at 67 kg Greco-Roman, Peak first piqued the interest of the crowd by rolling to successive 9-0, 8-0, 9-0 wins to earn a berth in the challenge tournament final.
While he couldn’t quite complete that magical mystery tour, falling 7-3 to Ellis Coleman (Army World Class Athlete Program), he awaited the third-place finisher in the back side of the bracket. That turned out to be Xavier Johnson (All-Marine Wrestling Team). In a true second-place bout, since the two hadn’t met previously in the Trials, Peak was high-flying again, running away with a 9-1 win. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/03/OTT-Session-3-wrap?mc_cid=7136a52740&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – My First Olympic Trials
I remember it like it was yesterday. The date was June 8th, 2019. For those wrestling fans that recall dates and times in reference to notable wrestling events, like I do, it was Final X Rutgers. As the best-of-three finals were wrapping up, other media members and I were hustling to and from the interview area underneath the bleachers of the RAC and back to the matside area. As new world team members were minted, we conducted interviews with the winners, then scurried back to catch the bout that followed. During one of the few breaks in this cycle, I noticed a wrestler sitting with his back against the bleachers, singlet straps pulled down, and head in hands. It was Ben Provisor who had just dropped a second match in a brutal, slugfest to Joe Rau for the 87 kg Greco-Roman world team spot.
As the two-time Olympian Provisor was having his moment to reconcile the loss and process the thought of another opportunity for a world-level medal slip away, a little girl approached. It was Ben’s daughter who appeared to be four or five years old. First, she gave him a few taps on the shoulder of encouragement then jumped in for a huge embrace. It was a sight. I didn’t want to look, but it was beautiful in an eerie sort of way. This little girl is helping console her father, probably her superhero, as his professional dreams were shattered. While I physically moved on to the next finals bout, this remarkable image was stamped in my mind. I’m sure there have been hundreds of times in the past (and probably the future) where this muscle-bound, long-haired, world-class athlete has picked up his crying daughter to comfort her; just this time, the roles were reversed.
Later in the day, I recounted this moment to one of my colleagues in the wrestling media. All they could reply with was, “Wait until the Olympic Trials.” Those five words echoed in my head for the remainder of Final X and stuck with me in the 22 months since. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24490?mc_cid=7136a52740&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – #OLYMPIANSMADEHERE: U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS –WRESTLING ENTRIES, BY COLLEGE PROGRAM
As part of USA Wrestling’s celebration of the legacy of college wrestling in the Olympic movement, we are partnering with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the NCAA, and individual conferences and institutions in the #OlympiansMadeHere program. College wrestling has made a lasting impact on the U.S. Olympic movement and continues to do so today. In that vein, we run a list of athletes who will compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling in Fort Worth, Texas, April 2-3, broken down by the college that they attended.
The university with the most past or current wrestlers in the Trials is Northern Michigan, which has 24 students who have participated in their National Training Site for Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling in the past. These athletes were college student-athletes, but not in the NCAA or another national college organization. (However, starting next year, Northern Michigan will have a varsity women’s wrestling team).
The varsity men’s team with the most entries in the competition is Penn State, with 12 athletes, all who are competing in men’s freestyle, including some past athletes and some of their current student athletes. Two NCAA-affiliated programs have the most women athletes … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/31/US-Olympic-Team-Trials-field-by-college-attended?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Humanity Shines Through at Olympic Team Trials
I walked down as close to the floor as possible Saturday night to get one last picture of Dickies Arena before the finals began. Before leaving, I took a few brief moments to soak it in and appreciate the human moments that this event brought us over two days. So many of our top athletes had their dreams shattered this weekend, some for the first time and some for the last. But through the tears and agony that showed on their faces, a light shined through.
This light provided many moments where we could see who these athletes really are. Sometimes we as fans get caught up in the competition and the tribal-like mentality of rooting for teams or clubs and we miss these moments because they don’t align with our fandom. One of the many examples of this is wrestlers who just took tough, heartbreaking losses who were happy to give out pictures and autographs to any young fan that was brave enough to walk to the edge of the aisle and ask. Others took countless pictures, shook hands, and signed shirts and programs while in the stands with their families. Those lucky enough to score pictures and other prizes were smiling big enough to light up the 14,000-seat arena on their own.
One family sat right in front of me during the consolations and encouraged their young son and daughter to go down and get as many autographs as possible. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24497?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Algeria Claims Four Berths as Six Countries Qualify for Tokyo Olympics
HAMMAMET, Tunisia (April 4) — Six countries combined to secure the 12 Olympic berths in men’s freestyle that were on the line on the final day of the African and Oceania Olympic Qualifier on Sunday. Algeria led the way by capturing four quotas while Egypt, Tunisia and Guinea-Bissau claimed two each. Senegal and Nigeria also registered their names by claiming a berth each for the Tokyo Olympics. Four wrestlers who punched their tickets to Tokyo for Algeria were Abdelhak KHERBACHE (57kg), Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (86kg), Mohammed FARDJ (97kg) and Djahid BERRAHAL (125kg).
However, the Algerian quartet in the finals failed to win a gold medal on Sunday and had to be content with four silver medals. The result came back to hurt them as they let the team title slip from their hands. Egypt edged host nation Tunisia for the freestyle team title despite both countries having 105 points. The former had two gold medal finishes compared to the one of Tunisia. Amr HUSSEN (EGY) led his country’s charge as he defeated three-time Olympian Augusto MIDANA … rest of story at https://uww.org/article/algeria-claims-four-berths-six-countries-qualify-tokyo-olympics?mc_cid=7136a52740&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Tunisia Takes Quartet of Olympic Berths, Nigeria Nabs Trio of Tokyo Spots
HAMMAMET, Tunisia (April 3) — For the second time in as many days, the host nation of the African and Oceania Olympic Qualifier earned four Olympic berths. On Saturday, Rio Olympic bronze medalist Marwa AMRI (TUN) assisted her country in winning three gold medals and a silver and grabbed the team title 45 points ahead of second-place Nigeria, who earned three women’s wrestling Olympic berths on the day. Sarra HAMDI (TUN), Siwar BOUSETA (TUN) and Marwa AMRI (TUN) won golds at 50kg, 57kg and 62kg, while Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) won silver at 76kg.
Bouseta’s gold came in the traditional 57kg bracket, while Hamdi and Amri won Nordic style bracket gold medals. The two-time African medalist breezed to the semifinal and final wins over Eman EBRAHIM (EGY) and Fatoumata Yarie CAMARA (GUI). In the semifinals, Bouseta controlled the match whistle-to-whistle with a two-on-one, scored two takedowns, two exposures and a reversal, and cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Egyptian. Then, in the finals, the long and lengthy Tunisian capitalized on her Guinean opponent’s mistakes with eight counter-offensive points and eased her way to a 57kg gold with a 9-3 victory.
Hamdi and Adijat IDRIS (NGR) came into their fourth-round matches with 3-0 records, but the Tunisian took the 50kg gold with a narrow 2-1 victory. Amri, the most decorated African women’s wrestler ever, punched her fourth ticket to the Olympic Games … rest of story at https://uww.org/article/tunisia-takes-quartet-olympic-berths-nigeria-nabs-trio-tokyo-spots?mc_cid=7136a52740&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And NORTH KOREA WITHDRAWS FROM 2020 OLYMPICS IN TOKYO; TWO NORTH KOREAN WOMEN’S FREESTYLE BERTHS TO BE AFFECTED
International media reported today that North Korea has withdrawn from the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. North Korea is reportedly the first nation to pull out of the Games. This will affect the sport of wrestling, as North Korea has qualified in two women’s weight classes, and would have had an opportunity to add more during the Asian Olympic Qualifier in Almaty, Kazakhstan this weekend (April 9-11).
INSIDE THE GAMES: North Korea withdraws from Tokyo 2020 over COVID-19 fears by Dan Palmer
North Korea has withdrawn from Tokyo 2020 after the country cited coronavirus fears. A statement on the secretive state’s official Sports in the DPRK Korea website said authorities want to “protect athletes”. The country has become the first to pull out of the rearranged Tokyo 2020 because of COVID-19. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/06/North-Korea-out-of-Tokyo-Olympics-two-womens-wrestling-berths-affected?mc_cid=c3ca94c3de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – Why Greco Matters
The 2021 US Olympic Team Trials was a very exciting event, bringing all three wrestling styles together in Texas to determine who will compete for the US in Tokyo. Many of us were excited to see the highly anticipated battle between Kyle Dake and Jordan Burroughs, and J’Den Cox clash Kyle Snyder in a meeting of 2016 Olympic medalists. 2021 also brought the return of Helen Maroulis to top form. However, how many fans looked forward to the Alejandro Sancho/Ellis Coleman final or G’Angelo Hancock taking on young upstart Braxton Amos in Greco? Before the US Olympic Trials, how many casual wrestling fans even knew who these Greco guys were?
For me, a high school wrestling coach for the past twenty-three years and a diehard Greco-Roman coach, the Olympic Trials were truly exciting; a change of the guard at some weights and the culmination of a few careers. I rejoiced with 87 kg winner John Stefanowicz, the guy who never made it to the Regional tournament in high school, and shed a tear watching Joe Rau and Jon Anderson leave their shoes on the mat, symbolizing their retirement from the sport. While some fans were intrigued by Stefanowicz’s story or hung on Hancock’s every point, most clamored for the freestyle guys to take the mat. This has been the story of Greco-Roman wrestling in the US: the often forgotten, middle child between Men’s freestyle and Women’s freestyle. As the middle child, we know Greco-Roman wrestling is there, but it is often overlooked. Wrestling people know Greco exists, … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24499?mc_cid=69381deb62&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NCHSAA Announces Eight to Join the Hall of Fame in Class of 2020
TDR Editor’s Notes ; The Induction banquet will be today, April 24th, as it has been delayed into 2021 due to the CoVid Crisis. Wrestling fans be sure to note Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach and Supporter, Milt Sherman of D.H. Conley is included in this class of inductees. Keep supporting wrestling! Contact us at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) is pleased to announce the eight-member group that will join the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in the Class of 2020. This year’s class includes individuals who made tremendous impacts on their communities through coaching and athletic administration. This year’s class is the 34th to join the Hall of Fame, which is dedicated to honoring those who “have done the most for high school athletics in North Carolina” throughout their careers.
The Class of 2020 is Donald Clark from Snow Hill, Barbara Foxx from Sanford, Henry Jones from Cherryville, Norvell Lee from Goldsboro, Fred McDaniel from Wade, Ron Parson from Reidsville, David Rothwell from Statesville, and Milt Sherman from Greenville.
The class was formally introduced at an Introduction and Luncheon on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at the NCHSAA offices in Chapel Hill. The Formal Induction Ceremony and Banquet for the Class of 2020 will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at the Embassy Suites in Cary. This event is SOLD OUT.
Milt Sherman | Greenville, NC
An outstanding coach for 30 years in the Greenville area, Milt Sherman built D.H. Conley’s wrestling program into a powerful force in North Carolina wrestling. His team compiled a dual record of 470-114-5 during his tenure, making him 2nd all-time in North Carolina coaching wins at retirement. Sherman had 43 All-State wrestlers including 14 state champions. He coached 5 high school All-Americans including James Johnson who went on to win 3 national championships and coach the 2012 Olympic team. His team won the 3A State Championship in 1995 and he was named the 3A Coach of the Year that season. His teams finished as state runner-up in 1977, 1989, and 1990. They claimed 10 Regional Championships and 16 Conference titles.
Sherman was on the NCHSAA Wrestling Advisory Committee from 1985-89, was Vice-Chairman for the North Carolina Coaches Association Wrestling Committee from 1989-98 and has served on the Board of Directors for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s North Carolina chapter since 2006. His Master’s thesis on Traditional Wrestling Styles was published by the University of Oregon Publications. He has authored more than two dozen articles for Coach and other athletic magazines and wrote the young adult novel Wrestling Spoken Here. He received the 25 Year Service Award from the National Wrestling Coaches Association in 2000, was inducted into the East Carolina University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002, the National Wrestling HOF – NC chapter in 2005, and the Arlington (VA) Sports HOF in 2019. … rest of story at https://www.nchsaa.org/news/2019-10-7/nchsaa-announces-eight-join-hall-fame-class-2020
TEXAS WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY ADDS WOMEN’S WRESTLING
DENTON, Texas – Texas Woman’s University has furthered its commitment to providing additional competitive opportunities for women within intercollegiate athletics, announcing Thursday that the university will launch an intercollegiate women’s wrestling program beginning in the fall of 2022.
The search for the program’s first coach will begin soon.
“Bringing women’s wrestling to Texas Woman’s University is an exciting venture at just the right time,” said Sandee Mott, Director of Athletics. “As one of the fastest-growing sports across the nation, and specifically our state and region, this team will allow us to further the mission of the University as we empower women through education, competition, and leadership development. Wrestling is a perfect complement to the current make-up of our department. The first task is to get the right coach who can come in and build the foundation of the program to ensure its success immediately and long-term.”
One of the fastest-growing scholastic sports with over 21,000 participants in 21 states, women’s wrestling was approved for emerging sport status within the NCAA in January 2020.
The program is a natural fit for the state of Texas, who has a strong claim as the top state for women’s wrestling in the nation. In the most recent USA Wrestling women’s rankings, Texas has three female wrestlers in the top spot, more than any other state in the country with the exception of California. The state of Texas has the second-highest number of participants in raw numbers, with 4,421 girls competing at the high school level.
The growth of the sport has led to the USA Women’s Wrestling team finishing third at the 2020 world championships, and the team’s upcoming Olympic competition has grown interest in the sport.
Today, there are more than 80 intercollegiate women’s wrestling teams in America across all classification levels. TWU’s program will be the first Division II program in the state of Texas. … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/TEXAS-WOMEN-S-UNIVERSITY-ADDS-WOMEN-S-23-4-2021?lId=00n00000000001D00da&lname=NWCA%20Articles
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
