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
NCAA Division III News (2021) – # 6
TDR Editor’s Notes ; For the 2nd consecutive year the official NCAA Division III National Championships tournament has been cancelled. This year the NWCA sponsored an end of the season tournament to fill in as a championship style event last month in Iowa. This month another toutnament sponsored by NUWAY and the Division III coaches will be held in Pennsylvania. The following stories are about those events and the wrestlers and teams in the NCAA Division III. Keep on wrestling! E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – Locals lead Augie wrestlers into alternate national event
Even with the NCAA scrapping all national tournaments for winter sports, the Augustana College wrestlers will get one last shot on the mats this coming weekend at a national event. Picking up the opportunity to compete at a modified national championship, the Vikings will be among 34 teams participating at the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Coaches Association National championships. The event is being held at the Xtreme Arena in Coralville, Iowa, on Friday and Saturday.
Viking coach Tony Willaert is taking a full roster of 10 wrestlers to the event and is hoping for some good outcomes. “I think we’ll win matches at every weight,” said the fourth-year Viking boss. “Like I said, maybe we can turn a few heads. … I think we’ve got some chances to place; we’re good enough to have a couple of guys in that blood round if not earn All-American honors.” … rest of story at https://qctimes.com/sports/college/wrestling/locals-lead-augie-wrestlers-into-alternate-national-event/article_3d32c7e5-18f5-5dbe-82c8-10888ad7abc3.html?mc_cid=2a2fd7a25b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – NWCA DIV. III PREVIEW – 33 TEAMS TRAVEL TO IOWA FOR SEASON-ENDING NATIONALS, AFTER NCAA CANCELLED THEIR TOURNAMENT AGAIN
When the members of the United States Coast Guard Academy wrestling team head out on their five-year commitments, they certainly will have an idea about about rough seas, at least figuratively, after navigating their way through college wrestling the past 12 months. The Bears had six national qualifiers a year in Cedar Rapids when the NCAA Division III Championships – as well as all other NCAA winter sports – were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic less than 24 hours before wrestling was set to begin.
After the NCAA announced that this year’s national tournament also would be scrapped, Coach Kevin Bratland was hesitant to tell his wrestlers that there still was hope of ending the season with some kind of national event. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/11/NWCA-D-3-preview?mc_cid=1a80b5744e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – College wrestling: Iowa Wesleyan ready for Division III championships after 30-year hiatus
MOUNT PLEASANT — Less than two years ago, Iowa Wesleyan University decided to bring the men’s wrestling program back from a hiatus of over 30 years. This weekend, the Tigers will be on the national stage competing in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Wrestling Championships at Xtreme Arena in Coralville.
The event begins at 11 a.m. Friday, with the championship matches set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. It will be the biggest tournament Iowa Wesleyan has competed in for over 30 years, and the Tigers hope to make a big splash on the big stage. “This is good just to get them some experience and just to fight,” Iowa Wesleyan head coach Shawn Contos said. “We will not focus on the results. The results are going to be whatever they are. We are going to tell them exactly what we told our ladies. There is no pressure on us, so that’s beautiful. We don’t have to worry about anything. We can just go out there and scrap for it and do our best. Try to score points. Try to fight every position. … rest of story at https://www.thehawkeye.com/story/sports/2021/03/11/college-wrestling-ten-tigers-compete-national-tournament/6923017002/?mc_cid=1a80b5744e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Bailey named NWCA Super Region III Rookie of the Year
INDIANAPOLIS- Greyhound freshman Logan Bailey has been named the Super Region III Rookie of the Year, announced by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Monday.
Bailey, a true freshman, was the UIndy starter at 149 in 2021. The Indianapolis Cathedral product qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships in his first year as a Greyhound, after placing third at 149 at the Super Region III Championships. In all, Bailey posted a record of 11-4 on the season. Five of those 11 wins came with bonus points, including the freshman recording a pin in his first match in a Greyhound singlet.
With the Super Region III honor, Bailey will now appear on the ballot for NCAA Division II Rookie of the Year. … rest of story at https://athletics.uindy.edu/news/2021/3/29/bailey-named-nwca-super-region-iii-rookie-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – UW-Stevens Point’s Berlin Selected Wrestler of the Year
UW-Whitewater’s Pogorzelski Named Newcomer of the Year
MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Matt Berlin has been selected the 2021 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Wrestler of the Year, while UW-Whitewater’s Ethan Pogorzelski has been tabbed the Newcomer of the Year based on voting conducted by the league coaches.
Berlin claimed the honor for the second straight season and is the sixth wrestler in conference history to receive the award multiple times. He compiled an 8-0 record during the 2021 campaign and was named the John Peterson Wrestler of the Meet at the WIAC Championship after winning the 133-pound title for the second consecutive year. Berlin amassed a 40-0 record over the past two seasons.
Pogorzelski competed at 133 pounds … rest of story at https://wiacsports.com/news/2021/3/30/wrestling-uw-stevens-points-berlin-selected-wrestler-of-the-year-uw-whitewaters-pogorzelski-named-newcomer-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – R.I.T. Wrestling places a record 24 on ECWC All-Academic Team
ROCHESTER, NY – A school record 24 members of the RIT wrestling team earned 2020-21 Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference All-Academic Team honors, as announced on March 29. It is the third straight season the Tigers have led all member institutions in selections.
Seniors Colby Hall (Deposit, NY/Deposit-Hancock) and Jake Warner were selected. juniors Chris Horton (Athens, PA/Athens Area), Ian Houck (Rondout Valley, NY/Rondout Valley), Calik Kennedy (Amherst, NY/Amherst), Alex Prunoske (Safety Harbor, FL/Clearwater Catholic) and Zach Stedeford (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) were honored, while sophomores Austin Bourgeois (Chattaqua Lake, NY/Westfield Academy), Andrew DiBernardo (West Chester, PA/West Chester East), Colby Giroux (Richmond, VT/Mount Mansfield Union), Austin Lamb (Owego, NY/Tioga), Colby LaValley, Nate Osborne (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), James Ost (Sunnyvale, CA/Fremont) and Nate Parker received the honors. Freshman Colton Ammerman (Dushore, PA/Sullivan County), Matthew Grant (Onoway, MI/Onoway), Michael Glynn, Logan Patterson (Philadelphia, NY/Indian River), Josh Post, Clay Rankin (Spotsylvania, PA/Riverbend), Josh Sam, Seth Russo (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) and Liam Strouse (Dillsburg, PA/Northern) were selected.
Houck and Horton are three-time recipients of the award, while Bourgeois, DiBernardo, Giroux, Lamb, Osborne, Ost and Parker are all two-time selections.
Recipients of this honor must have a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average … rest of story at https://ritathletics.com/news/2021/3/31/wrestling-rit-wrestling-place-a-record-24-on-2020-21-ecwc-all-academic-team.aspx?mc_cid=b369974b64&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – WRESTLING RULES COMMITTEE MEETS THIS WEEK
The NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee is set to meet April 12-14 via video conference. The wrestling rule book is updated every other year, and the upcoming season is a rule book year. This means that there is the possibility, but no guarantee, of significant changes for the 2021-2022 season. Major changes in recent rule books include neutral danger, out of bounds stalling, and the five second drop down rule. The most recent rule book that was in effect for the 2019-2021 seasons did not make major changes compared to those that preceded it. Here is a list of the changes from the last rule book revision.
Coaches and administrators have the ability to submit rule change proposals, and the rules committee sends out annual surveys to coaches, conference commissioners, and officials regarding both the application of previous rule changes and potential new rules for upcoming season. Here are the results of the 2019-2020 survey. The survey this year was structured differently and asked respondents whether they would be for or against 18 possible rule changes. Some examples included making takedowns worth three points, shortening the match from seven to six minutes, and adding a step out point in neutral if a wrestler goes out of bounds with both feet.
There is no guarantee that any of the changes in the survey will go into effect, … rest of story at https://www.d3wrestle.com/wrestling-rules-committee-meets-this-week/?mc_cid=3018ac16e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Wrestling Program to host Scranton Spring Exhibition Dual Sunday in Long Center
After being away from competition for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The University of Scranton wrestling team will hit the mats on Sunday, April 18, as the Royals host their 2021 Spring Exhibition Dual inside the John Long Center beginning at 1 PM.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, fans will not be allowed to attend the dual on Sunday in Scranton. However, the entire competition will be streamed live on the Landmark Conference Digital Network by heading here: https://landmarknetwork.tv/scranton/. Sports Information Director John Gatto and wrestling head coach Al Russomano will call the action live from the Long Center.
Before competition begins, the Royals will also honor their lone senior for 2020-21 – Kyle Shaffer (Mahwah, N.J./Mahwah) – for his contributions to the program over the last four years. … rest of story at https://uscranton.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20210415l41skw?mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – N.Y.U. Celebrating Our Seniors: Wrestling
Three Members of the NYU Wrestling Team are Graduating Next Month
Three members of New York University’s wrestling team are graduating among the class of 2021.
Donny Albach (Monroe Township, NJ/Monroe Township), Will Ortman (Hopewell Valley, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central) and Miguel Ruiz (Madera, CA/Madera) are all set to graduate in May.
Albach and Ortman both joined the team as freshmen prior to the 2017-18 season, while Ruiz came aboard in 2019-20 after transferring from Fresno City College in California.
Over the last three years of competition (the 2020-21 season was lost due to the coronavirus pandemic) the wrestling team posted an overall record of 39-21 under Head Coach Bruce Haberli. The grapplers placed 19th at the 2018 NCAA Division III National Championships and captured the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship in 2020. “These three young men all have the work ethic, maturity, team-first attitude, … rest of story at https://gonyuathletics.com/news/2021/4/16/general-celebrating-our-seniors-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=22fcb0de91&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – College Recruiting: two-time state placewinner Venz to Augsburg University
Parker Venz of Farmington has committed to wrestling for Augsburg University next season.
Venz is a two-time state placewinner. He was the Class AAA 195-pound third-place finisher in 2021 and he placed fourth at 182 pounds as a junior. Venz is projected to wrestle at 184 or 197 pounds for the Auggies. … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/04/college-recruiting-two-time-state-placewinner-venz-to-augsburg-university/?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&doing_wp_cron=1619114317.2974519729614257812500
And Huskies wrestling inks three more recruits
ST. CLOUD, MINN. – St. Cloud State University head wrestling coach Steve Costanzo announced the addition of three more student-athlete to an already strong 2021 recruiting class. Nicholas Lopez (Huntley, Ill.) and Paul Ruff (Gering, Neb.) have signed a National Letters of Intent with the Huskies while Nate Rocheleau (Gering, Neb.) has signed an Acceptance of Admission form.
Along with Lopez, Ruff and Rocheleau, seven additional stand-outs have announced their intentions to continue their education at St. Cloud State next fall: Mac Copeland (Bennett, Colo.), Augustus Donovan … rest of story at https://scsuhuskies.com/news/2021/4/15/wrestling-huskies-wrestling-inks-three-more-recruits.aspx?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – UW-La Crosse’s Malecek Secures 200th Career Dual Meet Victory
MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling head coach Dave Malecek secured his 200th career dual meet victory in the Eagles’ 32-9 win over UW-Stevens Point in La Crosse on Feb. 19.
Malecek is in his 15th season at UW-La Crosse and owns a 200-47-1 record (.808 winning percentage). He is the fourth coach in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) archives to reach the 200-win mark. Malecek has guided the Eagles to nine WIAC championships and a top-four finish at the NCAA Division III Championship seven times. … rest of story at https://wiacsports.com/news/2021/2/24/wrestling-uw-la-crosses-malecek-secures-200th-career-dual-meet-victory.aspx
12 } – DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR THE DIII COACHES ASSOCIATION NUWAY CHAMPIONSHIP
The NWCA DIII Coaches Association Leadership Group and Association President Lonnie Morris are pleased to announce that there is still time to register for the DIII Coaches Association NUWAY Championship Event.
Location:
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
250 Kalahari Blvd
Pocono Manor, PA 18349
Date: April 21st – 23rd
Skin Check & Weigh-In: Wednesday, April 21st at 4:45pm
Wrestling: Thursday & Friday April 22-23
Due to COVID-19, the 2020 and 2021 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships were canceled. In order to provide a championship experience, the NWCA DIII Leadership Group hosted a championship event in Coralville, Iowa March 12 and 13. Over 300 wrestlers from 34 teams participated in that event.
The Leadership Group felt that those who could not participate in the Coralville event should be given an opportunity to compete in a season-ending tournament, and the Pocono championship event was created. With the help of NUWAY, the event will provide an additional opportunity for deserving DIII wrestlers. … rest of story at https://www.d3wrestle.com/deadline-approaching-for-the-diii-coaches-association-nuway-championship/?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NCAA Division II News (2021) – # 6
TDR Editor’s Notes ; The Division II teams demonstated their flexibility in scheduling as the number of duals were greatly reduced and the championships were moved to another city at short notice. The following stories share the awards and achievements of the wrestlers, the teams and the sport. Keep on Wrestling!
E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – Maryville head coach Mike Denney – OTM630
Maryville head wrestling coach Mike Denney reflects on the UNO series on Trackwrestling and the 10-year anniversary of the program being dropped after winning a third straight NCAA Division II championship. Denney shares some stories about the process before, during and after.Join Kyle Klingman and Andy Hamilton as they talk about the world of wrestling on the flagship podcast of Trackwrestling.com.
Show Segments
0:35 – Andy is the Maverick. Let’s talk UNO.
2:30 – The steps of why leadership failed at UNO.
4:30 – The school changed the locks before they even got home.
6:30 – Trev Alberts couldn’t even deliver the bad news face-to-face. … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/trackwrestling/on-the-mat/maryville-head-coach-mike-denney-otm630/?mc_cid=7907c53ef0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – St. Cloud State to celebrate national championship performances
ST. CLOUD, MINN. – The St. Cloud State University athletics department will honor its national champion wrestling team along with the winter sport All-Americans in a short celebration on Tuesday, March 30.
The Championship Celebration will take place at 1 p.m. at the Husky Plaza outside the Atwood Mall on St. Cloud State’s campus. Fans are allowed to attend and are asked to follow social distancing guidelines throughout the event. Refreshments, including lemonade and cookies, will be available.
The celebration will recognize the Huskies wrestling team, which won their third consecutive national championship on March 20, 2021. Additionally, student-athletes who received All-America honors during the winter sports NCAA Championships will be recognized at the event, … rest of story at https://theguillotine.com/2021/03/st-cloud-state-to-celebrate-national-championship-performances/?mc_cid=1bb3332bd3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Wimer Named G-MAC Wrestler of the Year
Senior James Wimer was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Wrestler of the Year for the 2020-21 campaign. Wimer went 14-0 on the year and won a NCAA Division II national championship in the 157-pound weight class after winning a regional title earlier in the year. He also won a league title and was voted the G-MAC Wrestler of the Meet. “James did a really good job of buckling down and we put a little pressure on him to see how he would respond,” said Nelson. “We just said that we needed to approach this year as if it was not going to affect us. We had to really refine things and get back to our philosophy of what we have available time wise.”
Wimer was an NCAA Championship semifinalist in 2019 and rolled the dice by sitting out the 2019-20 season. That move paid dividends as Wimer was able to start his master’s of education programming and will be returning next season to defend his national title. … rest of story at https://findlay.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20210322mj190g?mc_cid=7490ba8a46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Wimer Earns Region 3 Wrestler of the Year Honor
Senior James Wimer was named the NCAA Division II Super Region 3 Wrestler of the Year on March 29 for his performance during the 2020-21 campaign. Wimer went 14-0 on the year and won a NCAA Division II national championship in the 157-pound weight class after winning a regional title earlier in the year. He also won a league title and was voted … rest of story at https://findlay.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20210329hrwrdd?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – De La Cerda named RMAC Wrestler of the Year
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference released their all-conference teams for wrestling this morning (Mar. 24). Adams State had four wrestlers named to the team including the conference’s top honor.
Isaiah De La Cerda was honored and he was joined by Jonathan Andreatta, Noah Hermosillo and Manuelito Casias.
“They have all put in time offseason and in the classroom and it is good to see their hard work pay off,” said Grizzly Head Wrestling Coach Jason Ramstetter after hearing of the awards.
Adams State redshirt junior Isaiah De La Cerda was named the RMAC Wrestler of the Year after he earned All-American honors at last week’s NCAA Division II Championships. De La Cerda finished in seventh place in the tournament. In addition, De La Cerda was the 125-pound Super Region Champion. De La Cerda finished the 2020-21 season with an 9-3 overall record with two technical falls and two falls. … rest of story at https://asugrizzlies.com/news/2021/3/24/wrestling-wres-de-la-cerda-named-rmac-wrestler-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Gray Earns Top MIAA Honor
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 25) – Central Oklahoma 184-pounder Heath Gray has been named Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Wrestler of the Year and was joined on the first-team All-MIAA squad by four teammates, the league office announced Thursday.
Also making the first-team unit were fellow All-Americans Paxton Rosen (125), Tanner Cole (133), Ty Lucas (157) and Dalton Abney (197). Nate Keim (141), Gabe Johnson (149) and Wyatt Jordan (174) were second-team picks.
The Bronchos finished 5-0 in duals in 2021, though they weren’t able to complete their MIAA schedule for health and safety reasons. UCO also won the Super Regional IV team title and came in sixth at the NCAA Division II Championships.
It’s the second straight season for Gray to win the top MIAA award and he was also named the league’s Most Dominant Wrestler after collecting nine bonus-point wins in finishing 13-0.
Gray captured the NCAA Division II national championship March 13 in St. Louis, Mo. in becoming a three-time All-American. He has a 78-3 career record in three years with the Bronchos with a 41-match winning streak and is eligible to return in 2021-22 … rest of story at https://bronchosports.com/news/2021/3/25/wrestling-gray-earns-top-miaa-honor.aspx?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – West Liberty Sweeps MEC Wrestling Honors
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – After rolling to Mountain East Conference and NCAA Regional championships and bringing a team trophy back from the NCAA Division II Nationals, the West Liberty University wrestling team made a clean sweep of the MEC Wresting Awards when they were announced on Thursday.
Irwin was voted MEC Coach of the Year with 125-pound national champion Cole Laya chosen as the MEC Wrestler of the Year. Ty McGeary, West Liberty’s fast-rising 174-pounder, received MEC Freshman of the Year honors.
In his second season at the WLU helm, Irwin led the Hilltoppers to one of the best seasons in more than a half-century of wrestling on the hilltop. Irwin’s wrestlers dominated the MEC Tournament, winning six individual titles and earning All-MEC honors in nine of the 10 weight classes in an impressive sprint to the team championship.
The Black and Gold built on that momentum at the Super Region 3 championships, rolling to the first regional title of West Liberty’s NCAA era behind a trio of regional champions and six national qualifiers. Irwin was voted Super Region 3 Coach of the Year and was once again a finalist for the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year Award.
With four All-Americans, two national champions and a national runner-up, Irwin’s Hilltoppers also made history at the NCAA D2 Nationals in St. Louis. West Liberty’s fourth-place finish was the school’s best since transitioning from NAIA to NCAA affiliation during the mid-1990s. Back-to-back individual national championships from Laya and 133-pounder Tyler Warner – Nos. 9 and 10 in school history – marked the first time WLU had multiple national champions in the same year. … rest of story at https://hilltoppersports.com/news/2021/3/25/west-liberty-sweeps-mec-wrestling-honors.aspx?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Vasbinder, Peterson Receive NWCA Regional 4 Postseason Honors
McKendree University’s senior Ryan Vasbinder and sophomore Cory Peterson received postseason honors from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) in Region 4. Vasbinder was named Wrestler of the year, while Peterson was named Rookie of the year.
No.1 Ryan Vasbinder concluded the 2020-21 season with his first NCAA Division II National Championship title. In addition to his 12-0 overall record, Vasbinder was crowned NCAA Division II Super Region 4 Champion, named Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Wrestler of the year, made First Team All-GLVC, and All-American status. Cory Peterson concluded the 2020-21 season with a third place finish in the NCAA Division II National Championship. In addition … rest of story at https://mckbearcats.com/news/2021/3/29/mens-wrestling-vasbinder-peterson-receive-nwca-regional-4-postseason-honors.aspx?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Isiah Royal Named Super Region II Wrestler of the Year
Third straight year that Royal has won this honor
NEWBERRY, S.C. — Newberry wrestling senior Isiah Royal has been named Super Region II Wrestler of the Year for the third straight season. The announcement was made Monday afternoon by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Voting for the award was conducted by coaches in the region.
Royal won the national championship at 141 pounds this season, earning a 7-6 decision in the national championship match against Joey Bianchini of St. Cloud State. Royal finished the season with a 13-1 record, with a perfect 5-0 record in South Atlantic Conference Carolinas action. He picked up four wins via fall this season, including a 47-second fall Feb. 27 in the first round of the Super Region II tournament. … rest of story at https://newberrywolves.com/news/2021/3/30/wrestling-isiah-royal-named-super-region-ii-wrestler-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – From one win to national runnerup, former Pueblo West wrestler Weston Hunt has been molded by the sport
When Weston Hunt first stepped into the halls of Pueblo West High School, he had no idea he would find passion in a sport that he had yet to consider. Then, with the help of coach Ryan Schumann, Hunt joined the school’s wrestling team his freshman year. “I was playing football and Ryan Schumann, convinced me,” Hunt said. “I never would have done it if he pretty much didn’t tell me to do it.”
Hunt not only found a passion for the sport, but success too as he was the 2017 state Class 4A state champion in the 220-pound bracket following a finish as runner-up at 182 pounds in 2016. That success wasn’t without trial as Hunt only won one of his 20 matches in his … rest of story at https://www.chieftain.com/story/sports/2021/03/30/pueblo-wests-weston-hunt-wrestles-colorado-school-mines-national-championships/7052716002/?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Martin Named Super Region 1 Wrestler of the Year
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Lukas Martin, the 2021 NCAA Division II National Champion at 149 pounds, has been named the Super Region 1 Wrestler of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).
Martin made history earlier this month by becoming the first NCAA National Champion and All-American in program history. Martin finished the season with a 14-0 record and went 4-0 at the NCAA Division II National Championships in St. Louis to bring home the national title. He won the national title bout with a 12-5 decision over Garrett Aldrich of St. Cloud State. During his four bouts in St. Louis, Martin won three by decision and one by major decision.
As a result of his 4-0 performance while in St. Louis, Martin was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the 2021 NCAA Division II National Championship event. The NWCA Regional Wrestler of the Year awards are voted on by coaches … rest of story at https://fightingfalcons.com/news/2021/3/31/wrestling-martin-named-super-region-1-wrestler-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=8b7957ea1f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – NWCA Releases 2021 Division II Scholar All-America Awards
Manheim, PA – For the fourth straight year, the Maryville Saints posted the highest team GPA in NCAA Division II, taking top honors in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division II Scholar All-America ranking for the 2020-21 year, released Monday.
LINK: Top 20 Scholar All-American Teams
LINK: Individual Scholar All-Americans
The Saints posted a GPA of 3.650, just the second GPA of higher than 3.6 ever posted in the history of the Scholar All-America program. Maryville’s 3.650 is second to only their team GPA of 3.695 a season ago. Emmanuel College is this year’s team runner up with a 3.416, … rest of story at https://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-releases-2021-scholar-all-america-awards/?mc_cid=3018ac16e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – NWCA ANNOUNCES 2021 DIVISION II WRESTLER AWARDS
Manheim, PA – On Monday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the winners of both the Division II Wrestler of the Year and Rookie Wrestler of the Year awards. “It is an honor on behalf of the NWCA and our Board of Directors to recognize these two wonderful student-athletes. Under difficult conditions as a result of COVID-19, these young men demonstrated a tremendous amount of grit and not only persevered but excelled” said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director.
The NWCA is proud to announce the NWCA Division II Wrestler of the Year is Kameron Teacher from St. Cloud State University. Teacher, a Redshirt Senior from Grove City, Ohio, who competes at 285 pounds, completed his season with a perfect 13-0 record and was named one of six NWCA Division II Super Regional Wrestlers of the Year. Teacher’s impressive 2021 season was highlighted by … rest of story at https://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-announces-2021-division-ii-wrestler-awards/?mc_cid=a167ed32cf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NAIA Division News & Results (2021) – # 4
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Since we praised the NAIA in the last blog we should present the stories from their championship tournament and teams. The last three articles announce the appointment of new head coaches. The NAIA had almost all teams in competition and most teams had a full schedule of matches or closer to a full schedule than any of the other divisions. Keep Wrestling On! E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – Tom Molony’s path at Calumet and an NAIA Championship Tournament Preview
Join host Jason Bryant for a look into this weekend’s upcoming NAIA National Championships. Joining the show will be Tom Molony, the first-year head coach at Calumet College of St. Joseph, an NAIA program in Indiana to talk about his post as well as the tournament overall.
Show Segments
0:30 – Welcome friends and Patron Shout Outs to Barry Jenkin and Cliff Fretwell.
1:45 – Meet Tom Molony, head coach at Calumet College of St. Joseph
42:00 – NAIA Tournament Preview … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/short-time/tom-molonys-path-at-calumet-and-an-naia-championship-tournament-preview/?mc_cid=e764d9125d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – NWCA Announces 2021 NAIA Men’s National Coach of the Year – Nick Mitchell Grand View University
Park City, KS – On Thursday evening the NAIA hosted a virtual National Championship Coaches Social. At the conclusion of the event, National Wrestling Coaches Association Executive Director Mike Moyer recognized the 11 finalists for the NAIA Men’s National Coach of the Year and announced the winner as selected by his peers. The award is presented to the coach that has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community. The NWCA National Coach of the Year awards program is presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA. “In continuing our mission, Defense Soap is proud to partner with the NWCA, to keep wrestlers on the mat with our products and education in hygiene.” Guy Sako, Founder and CEO of Defense Soap.
The recipient of this year’s NAIA Men’s National Coach of the Year is Nick Mitchell of Grand View University (IA). Coach Mitchell is in his 13th year as head coach and his achievements this season include a 14-0 dual meet record which has pushed their collegiate all-time dual win streak to 103 consecutive victories. His squad also captured its sixth straight Heart of America Athletic Conference championship with eight individual conference champions while qualifying 12 athletes for the NAIA Championships. His current roster has an incredible 66 wrestlers. … rest of story at https://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-announces-2021-naia-mens-national-coach-of-the-year-winner/?mc_cid=463361f6e9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Nick Mitchell: What I learned from Jim Miller
Grand View University, led by head coach Nick Mitchell, will compete for a record 10th consecutive NAIA Championship on March 5-6 in Park City, Kansas. Mitchell was a three-time All-American at Division III Wartburg under Jim Miller, a 10-time NCAA championship coach. Mitchell reflects on what he has learned from Miller as he and his team are on the cusp of making history later this week.
DO IT ANYWAY
“The most famous was “Do It Anyway.” That was a game-changing moment in my life. I heard it lots of times before but that day it actually sunk in. I was probably 19 or 20 and I’m 42 and I pretty much think of it every day. That had a huge impact. “My freshman year I was at Wartburg and I was just a guy on the team. I wouldn’t say I bought into the culture. I think there were six of us at my weight class that year. I had pretty good success against those guys but not enough to be anything special the next year. “The next year, between guys quitting and graduation, I was the only guy in the weight class. I didn’t know it at the time, but I’m sure Coach Miller was recruiting his butt off to find someone to replace me.
“Early in the season during one of the pre-practice talks was the first time I heard him talk about doing it anyway. For some reason, that day, it really clicked for me. Maybe he said it before — I’m sure he had — but I heard it that day. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1614572553095&twSessionId=phqmpdlmfg&postId=1095965135&mc_cid=6c7ef6b094&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Grand View sets its sights college wrestling history at the NAIA Championships
College wrestling’s greatest dynasty operates out of an old bowling alley that’s been transformed into an assembly line of All-Americans on Des Moines’ north side. For the past decade, Nick Mitchell has turned Grand View wrestling from an upstart program into a record-setting behemoth at the NAIA level.
The division itself has doubled in the nine years since the Vikings first put their fingerprints on a national championship trophy. The field is palpably deeper and more talented, and in many ways, the NAIA competition level is at an all-time high. Wrestlers from eight different schools won individual national titles last March. Six programs have staked claim to the runner-up trophy in the last nine years.
None of them, though, have been able to keep pace with Grand View. Oftentimes, they haven’t been close.
Mitchell and the Vikings take aim this weekend at college wrestling history. No program has ever won 10 consecutive national titles. Not even Dan Gable’s Hawkeyes. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1614918655342&twSessionId=nqzcxbqxyo&postId=1107214135&mc_cid=463361f6e9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Jensen Beach alum Kyle Kirkham wins NAIA national title
Jensen Beach alum Kyle Kirkham entered his final wrestling tournament at the NAIA National Championship unseeded and historically had not had much success at the national tournament with just one win in two prior appearances.
The Southeastern senior made a lasting memory in Wichita, Kansas, as he dispatched four seeded opponents, scoring a takedown with two seconds remaining in the third period to down No. 8 Frederick Padilla from Vanguard on Saturday night in the 165-pound title match.
The ride all the way to the title for Kirkham began as he earned a wild card berth just to make the tournament field after finishing second in his weight class at the Mid-South Conference Southeast Championship.
Opening nationals against No. 10 Chris Paulsen of Briar Cliff, Kirkham won with an 8-6 decision. He defeated No. 7 Joe Koontz of Lindsey Wilson 7-2 and in the quarters, Kirkham again won via decision with a 7-3 win over unranked David Rubio of Corban. … rest of story at https://www.tcpalm.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2021/03/08/jensen-beach-alum-kyle-kirkham-wins-naia-national-title/4630226001/?mc_cid=b1fa7a1c33&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Move south pays off for Lakeview native with national championship victory
Nolan Saxton won the NAIA title at 157 lbs.
Saturday night Reinhardt University’s Nolan Saxton won an individual NAIA national championship in wrestling at 157 pounds. “It was amazing,” Saxton, a Lakeview native said. “It was very satisfying. Definitely a big relief, a lot of weight off the shoulders. Life long dream accomplished so it was a really good feeling, just really happy to go all the way and get it done.”
Saxton only wrestled two matches this season before fracturing his elbow in practice back in November.
He didn’t return to the mat until the conference tournament which was right before nationals.
“That was a really hard time because that was the first time in my career I had ever been injured,” Saxton said. “That was a lot of adversity, mentally very challenging. I was questioning my abilities towards the end of the year a little bit but I just had to be confident and trust myself and trust the training that I had and I ended up getting it done so it all worked out.”
Saxton becomes the first individual national champion in program history for the Eagles. “That means a lot to me especially breaking through and winning that national title proving to all the young guys coming in and my teammates that it can be done at Reinhardt and it will be done in the future,” Reinhardt said. … rest of story at https://www.fox17online.com/sports/ncaa/move-south-pays-off-for-lakeview-native-with-national-championship-victory?mc_cid=b1fa7a1c33&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Boldmaa Named Wrestler of the Year; Seven Named All-GPAC
Doane Wrestling placed seven athletes on the 2020-21 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) All-Conference list. Previously, the most Doane had placed on the all-conference list was three in 2016. The Tigers, the 2021 regular season GPAC Champions, had six wrestlers qualify for nationals.
Leading the way for Doane was Baagii Boldmaa (JR/Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) at 141-lbs, named the GPAC Wrestler of the Year. Undefeated on the season at 20-0, Boldmaa has backed up the national championship he won a year ago with dominance on the mat this season. In 20 matches, he has won by tech fall, pin, or forfeit in 19 of those decisions. Joining Boldmaa on the First Team All-GPAC list were Daniel Vargas (JR/San Diego, Calif.), Tristan Zamilpa (SO/Madera, Calif.), Bradley Antesberger (FR/North Pole, Alaska), and Brandon Antesberger (SO/North Pole, Alaska). Earning Second Team honors was Michael Scarponi (SO/Temecula, Calif.). Garrett Cornwell (JR/Albion, Neb.) received honorable mention honors as well. Each of Doane’s honorees this year has hit the 20-win mark.
Vargas sits at a 9-0 record at 125-lbs and holds a 21-4 overall record this season. … rest of story at http://www.doaneathletics.com/article/5188.php?mc_cid=463361f6e9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Swafford wins back-to-back national championships
Growing up, Brennan Swafford was always the hard-luck kid, the bridesmaid, the guy who had all the skill and talent to win, yet came up short in the big matches.
Those days are long since past for the Mediapolis High School graduate. Swafford takes a backseat to no one now. Swafford, a junior at Graceland University, won his second straight NAIA national wrestling championship on Saturday night at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas. Swafford completed a perfect 18-0 season, rallying for a 10-7 win over Asher Eichert of Life University in the 174-pound national championship match. Swafford, who has won 33 straight matches dating back to Jan. 17, 2020, plays second fiddle to no one. “It’s definitely a monkey off my back for the season,” Swafford said. “I proved to myself and others that I could do it when I had a target on my back. I was always the one people wanted to win because I’ve had a lot of crappy luck my whole life.”
Swafford, who came into the tournament ranked No. 1 and seeded No. 1, breezed into the finals. After receiving a first-round bye, he pinned Chase Short of Montana State-Northern in 2 minutes, 38 seconds, then registered consecutive 13-3 major decisions over Jonah Egli of Morningside College in the quarterfinals and Isaiah Luellen of Baker University in the semifinals. … rest of story at https://www.thepredicament.com/2021/03/swafford-wins-back-to-back-national-championships/?mc_cid=2a2fd7a25b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – WHARTON COMPETES AT NATIONALS IN INAUGURAL SEASON
WICHITA, Kan.— At the NAIA Wrestling National Championships, freshman Braden Wharton represented the Montreat wrestling program in its first year of competition by competing in the 133-pound bracket.
In his opening bout of the championships, Wharton took on No. 8 seed Dominick Arellano of Baker (Kan.) in the Round of 16. The No. 9 seed ultimately fell via a 17-1 tech fall in the second period to open the tournament after allowing Arellano to score a quick takedown and back points in the first period.
Following his defeat, the freshman faced an uphill battle, having to ultimately win his next six matches to place third at the championships or his next four and five of his next six to place seventh.
Wharton then wrestled unseeded Isaiah Vizcarrando of Williams Baptist in the consolation bracket. The Hickory, N.C. native notched an early takedown; however, Vizcarrando picked up the victory by fall at 4:35 of the contest. … rest of story at http://www.montreatcavaliers.com/article/3393
9} – Isaac Bartel Interview after his NAIA National Championship
Isaac Bartel is the 197 NAIA National Champion for Montana State Northern. A Nora Springs native and state champion from Mason City. He was a third place finisher as a freshman at Montana State, then followed that with two runnerup finishes before becoming this years national champion. He talked about his season and summer job. … rest of story and video at https://www.thepredicament.com/2021/03/isaac-bartel-interview-after-his-naia-national-championship/?mc_cid=1a80b5744e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Nick Soto Named Head Wrestling Coach
Director of Athletics Kris Swogger announced the hiring of Nick Soto as the new Head Coach of the Keiser University Wrestling team.
Soto said on being named the head coach, “If you’re on the Flagship Campus, it doesn’t take long to realize that Keiser University is a special place. As a Florida native, I know first-hand how great the wrestling community is. From the start, this program has taken pride in being a home to seniors in Florida and across the country and I plan to build on the foundation that Coach Bertolone has laid alongside Coach Marcus. I want to thank President Vonk, Athletic Director Kris Swogger, and the incredible leadership team at Keiser University for trusting me with this position. The future is bright for this program and let’s get to work!”
Soto arrives at Keiser after spending the previous two seasons at St. Andrews University as the Head Coach. In his time, he coached five conference placers and had four Academic All-Conference honorees. In his second year, he started the women’s program for the Knights. Off the mat, he completed the NWCA CEO Leadership Academy. Soto began his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant at NCAA Division II, Seton Hill University. Soto was a four-time NCAA Division 1 Qualifier and four-time SoCon Champion at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. … rest of story at https://kuseahawks.com/news/2021/3/30/nick-soto-named-head-wrestling-coach.aspx?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Southeastern Names Travis Patrick to Wrestling Post
LAKELAND, Fla.—Southeastern University Director of Athletics Drew Watson has announced the hiring of Travis Patrick as the school’s new head wrestling coach.
Patrick comes to the Fire after starting the program at Arizona Christian, qualifying five wrestlers for NAIA Nationals this past season and were ranked as high as 18th in the coaches’ poll. After going 9-9 in duals in the first year of competition, ACU posted a 7-3 record last season and had its first All-American in Jack Latimer at 149 who placed fourth. “Travis brings a unique combination of strengths to the table as a coach and a mentor,” said Watson. “He has a passion for Christ and for student-athletes and cut his teeth in coaching at one of the most competitive wrestling programs in the NAIA. He is a proven winner who will continue to build our wrestling culture and the tradition of excellence we have seen on the mat at SEU.” Prior to ACU, Patrick was the Associate Head Coach at Menlo College and … rest of story at https://fire.seu.edu/news/2021/4/2/southeastern-names-patrick-to-wrestling-post.aspx?mc_cid=7136a52740&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – ROBERT PARLAND NAMED NEW HEAD WRESTLING COACH AT ST. ANDREWS
Laurinburg, N.C. – Robert Parland has been hired as the new Head Coach of the St. Andrews Wrestling Program. The Brunswick, G.A. and Jacksonville, F.L. native comes to the Knights Wrestling team after coaching at Coker University as an Assistant Coach.
While Coaching at Coker, Parland coached six National Qualifiers, multiple Regional Placers and one Regional Champion. The Coker Wrestling program ranked as high as 25th in the Nation in 2020. Parland has also helped coach multiple Nationally Ranked wrestlers.
Off the mat, Parland’s teams have held an average GPA of 3.10 and he’s had over 15 Academic All Americans wrestle for him. Parland also wrestled on the Coker Cobras. Parland was a part of the Cobras Inaugural team in 2013, wrestling at 197. Parland became the all-time win leader during his time at Coker. … rest of story at https://www.sauknights.com/article/mens-wrestling/robert-parland-named-new-head-wrestling-coach-at-st-andrews?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NCAA Division I News (2021) – # 16
TDR Editor’s Notes ; We have a backlog of the many stories written about the NCAA Division I (D-1) Championships, wrestlers, coaches and teams. Wrestling needs to have more D-1 schools in action next year. They generate more attention and publicity and provide greater educational opportunities for wrestlers. While it is disheartening to hear of schools such as Old Domion, Fresno State and Stanford announcing that they will drop wrestling in spite of their successes there has been amazing growth in other college groups. University of Arkansas-Little Rock has been the only new D-I program in the past two seasons, 2019 – 2021 and announced for next season. Also during that time there have been 6 Division II and 11 Division III teams started. The NAIA has 14 new programs and the National Junior College Association has started 7 new teams. Thus almost 40 new men’s teams are increasing opportunities to wrestle on the college level. There are also over 45 new women’s teams that have started or will begin next season. Yet D-I schools plead poverty and say they can not afford inexpensive Olympic sports while they seek another assistant coach for their football or basketball teams. Encourage your local or favorite D-I school to start a wrestling program or to re-start one! Keep on Wrestling! E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – NICK LEE OF PENN STATE TO RECEIVE AMATEUR WRESTLING NEWS’ HAMMER AWARD
Amateur Wrestling News will present The Hammer, its annual award, to Penn State’s Nick Lee. The award is presented to the wrestler who wins the NCAA national title at what the writers at AWN feel is the most competitive weight class of the season. Lee won the 141-pound NCAA Division I title this year in St. Louis, defeating Iowa’s three-time All American Jaydin Eierman in the finals. There were six returning All Americans at the weight. Lee finished the season 13-1, with that lone loss being to Eierman in the Big Ten finals.
Past Hammer recipients include Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State), Logan Stieber (Ohio State), Spencer Lee (Iowa), Zahid Valencia (Arizona State), and Bo Nickal (Penn State). An award is only as prestigious as the quality of those who have previously won it. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/24/Nick-Lee-wins-AWN-Hammer-Award?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – NCAA wrestling notes: Iowa’s Spencer Lee grows legendary status with latest national title
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Iowa’s Spencer Lee elevated his legendary status with his latest feat. Not that it needed a boost at all. Top-ranked Lee produced another dominant national tournament, beating Arizona State’s Brandon Courtney, 7-0, for the 125-pound title at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships on Saturday night at Enterprise Center. He’s Iowa’s seventh three-time NCAA champion and first since Joe Williams (1996-98). The how might just outweigh the feat itself. Lee reluctantly told media after the victory that he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee eight to 10 days earlier. It was the opposite knee from the one he injured in his freshman championship run. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to wrestle. Forfeiting was mentioned, but Lee said if he was going to lose it would be on his terms. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Lee said. ‘I’m not one that’s going to make an excuse. If I lost, I would have probably said nothing, because that’s just how I am. You’ve got to win no matter what is wrong with you and no matter what’s going on. That’s what defines a champion. You go through whatever.’ … rest of story at https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-hawkeyes/ncaa-wrestling-notes-iowas-spencer-lee-grows-legendary-status-with-latest-national-title/
And Brands voted InterMat Coach of the Year for second straight year
Tom Brands guided the Iowa Hawkeyes to an undefeated dual meet season, share of the Big Ten dual meet championship, Big Ten tournament championship and the program’s first national championship since 2010. On Thursday, Brands was named 2021 InterMat Coach of the Year. It’s the second straight year Brands has received the award.
This award, presented each year since 2006 to the best college wrestling coach for his/her college wrestling coaching performance during the 2019-2020 season, is based exclusively on the balloting of writers at InterMat. Each staff member is asked to select five coaches and rank them from first to fifth. Point values are assigned to each placement, ranging from one point to a wrestling coach listed fifth on a voter’s ballot, up to nine points for a first-place vote. Brands received a total of 71 points — including four of the 10 first-place votes from the InterMat staff — to propel him to the top of the balloting for the 2021 season. Penn State coach Cael Sanderson and Arizona State coach Zeke Jones both received three first-place votes. Sanderson and Jones finished second and third respectively in the voting. Oklahoma State coach John Smith and Oklahoma coach Lou Rosselli rounded out the top five vote getters. Other coaches receiving votes included Pat Popolizio (NC State), Tony Robie (Virginia Tech), Kevin Dresser (Iowa State), Jason Borrelli (Stanford), Omi Acosta (Life), Steve Costanzo (St. Cloud State), John Hangey (Rider) and Cary Kolat (Navy). … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24457?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Ferrari named InterMat Freshman of the Year
A.J. Ferrari “talks a big game and he shows a big game.”
Those were the words of Oklahoma State head wrestling coach John Smith when discussing his true freshman 197-pounder after Ferrari captured the NCAA title this past Saturday night in St. Louis, becoming only the third Cowboy true freshman to win a national title, joining Richard Hutton (1947) and Pat Smith (1990)
On Wednesday, Ferrari was named InterMat Freshman of the Year.
This award, presented each year since 2006 to the best college freshman wrestler, is based exclusively on the balloting of writers at InterMat. Each writer is asked to select five freshman 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.
Ferrari received eight first-place votes (out of 10) from the InterMat staff, for a total of 86 points to put him No. 1 in this year’s InterMat Freshman of the Year voting. In second place was 174-pound NCAA champion Carter Starocci of Penn State, who was the top choice among two InterMat writers, earning a total of 74 points. No other wrestler received a first-place vote for the award.
NCAA third-place finisher Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) finished third in the voting with 30 points, while All-Americans John Poznanski (Rutgers) and Keegan O’Toole (Missouri) rounded out the top five. … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24454?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Wrestling Mailbag: Recapping the NCAA Wrestling Championships, plus Spencer Lee, David Carr, Austin DeSanto, and more
A standing ovation is in order for the sport of wrestling, because at the collegiate level, the coaches, athletes, administrators, parents and everybody else involved navigated the biggest time of the year during a pandemic without any COVID-19 hiccups.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association hosted the Division III national tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville. All wrestlers, coaches, tournament workers and more were tested multiple times that week. Zero positive tests.
The NCAA Division II national championships, held in St. Louis, also had all wrestlers, coaches, tournament workers and more tested multiple times that same week. Zero positive tests.
Then came the NCAA Division I national championships, held in the same city with more than twice as many wrestlers, coaches, tournament personnel, plus many more people considered Tier 1 from the NCAA, teams and more. Again, all were tested multiple times that week. Again, zero positive tests.
Wrestling has always been uniquely suited for extra health screening situations. Before wrestlers weigh in for their competitions, there’s a skin check, a hair and nails check, a general health check, then they step on the scale. Then, this season, they added tests for COVID-19 to the list. During the week of the national championships, they needed negative tests to enter the building before competition, then they took them again every day of competition. Most coaches and wrestlers I talked to were sick of them by the time the tournament ended Saturday night. … rest of story at https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa/wrestling/2021/03/24/wrestling-mailbag-recapping-ncaa-wrestling-championships-spencer-lee-david-carr-austin-desanto-iowa/4804747001/
5 } – The man behind the upset: NDSU’s Owen Pentz long journey back to the mat
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Every athlete has their own way of getting to the college level. One NDSU wrestler who had to wait three years for his shot, and took full advantage. Owen Pentz, a freshman from Morgan Utah, sent shockwaves through the NCAA tournament pinned the second-ranked wrestler in his bracket to move on to the next round. Pentz, who came in as an at-large bid, ranked 31st in the 197 pound weight class. “I’m not going to lose. That’s one thing I kept saying to myself in my head. Losing isn’t an option.” Pentz said about his match with Nebraska’s Evan Schultz, “There was a lot running through my head but when the ref slapped the mat I got super excited. I was like ‘Holy Crap I just pinned the #2-seed kid in the bracket.’”
This moment on the mat was a culmination of a long journey for this grappler. Pentz just got back into wrestling after taking two years off to serve on an LDS mission. After getting married last summer, he decided he wasn’t done with that college wrestling dream and signed to Fresno State. When we asked about why he decided to come back, Pentz said that “College wrestling was always something I wanted to do so I wasn’t stepping away from it forever. But I was taking a pretty big break I guess.” Fresno State closed their wrestling program forcing Pentz to wait just a bit longer before he took a call from NDSU and transferred in, a move which he says led to the perfect fit. … rest of story at https://www.valleynewslive.com/2021/03/25/the-man-behind-the-upset-ndsus-owen-pentz-long-journey-back-to-the-mat/?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Golden Gopher Podcast Episode 77: Gable Steveson
Golden Gopher Podcast Episode 77: Gable Steveson
Don’t miss the Golden Gopher Podcast hosted by KFAN’s Justin Gaard every Wednesday! Listen on GopherSports.com, iHeartRadio, KFAN.com or wherever you download your podcasts. Brought to you by Red’s Savoy Pizza and Schuler Shoes. … rest of story at https://gophersports.com/news/2021/3/25/wrestling-golden-gopher-podcast-episode-77-gable-steveson.aspx?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – ORANGE PRATTLE: Putting perspective on Fix’s loss in NCAA finals
Daton Fix felt he had lost his edge on the mat from high school, but if he wants to truly get it back, he just needs to read all the social media hate.
The Oklahoma State fans and passionate wrestling fans used words like “disappointment” … “pathetic” … “choke” … But wrestling legend John Smith, who has had 33 national champions in his 30-year coaching career, had a different word to sum it up: rust. The reality – that thing sports fanatics rarely live in – was Fix just wasn’t properly prepared to face Penn State’s Roman Bravo-Young, an international competitor in his own right.
While Fix was serving a suspension, Bravo-Young – who went 19-2 last season, with his only two losses being to the top two seeds for the NCAA tournament – was wrestling in exhibitions to fill the gap created by the pandemic. He dominated a national runner-up, Jack Mueller, and he wrestled an exhibition against a 30-year-old three-time NCAA qualifier. And he had wrestled two ranked opponents prior to this year’s NCAA tournament. “I feel like he’s not real seasoned,” Smith said of Fix following his loss in the finals. “… Just felt like his top and bottom was a little behind. … rest of story at https://www.stwnewspress.com/sports/orange-prattle-putting-perspective-on-fix-s-loss-in-ncaa-finals/article_35f3239e-8b74-11eb-9c55-3bbe4670faab.html?mc_cid=1bb3332bd3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Two-time NJSIAA wrestling champion transfers to Rutgers
Nick Raimo, a two-time NJSIAA champion during his scholastic career at Hanover Park High School, announced Thursday on Instagram he has transferred to Rutgers University from Arizona State. “I thought about it basically all year. It’s not just something you think of one day and just go with it,” Raimo said Thursday from his family’s home. “I thought I would do better at home, and around a bigger support system, somewhere I’m more comfortable.”
Raimo was at Arizona State the last two seasons and wrestled at 133 pounds. However, he still has all four years of eligibility remaining. He redshirted during the 2019-20 season and competed in open tournaments.
Raimo wasn’t in the starting lineup but wrestled in two extra bouts during the recently completed season. He went 13-4 overall. … rest of story at https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2021/03/25/two-time-njsiaa-champion-transfers-rutgers-wrestling/6998526002/?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – ‘They Believed in Me’: Wrestler Makes the Most of His Time on Grounds
As both a wrestling prospect and a prospective college student, Louie Hayes didn’t look great on paper. Most coaches believed Hayes, who wrestled at 113 pounds at Carl Sandburg High School in suburban Chicago, was too small to wrestle at the college level. Academically, Hayes had good grades, but his standardized test scores were the lowest of all the student-athletes University of Virginia head wrestling coach Steve Garland had been recruiting for his 2016 class. So it turns out to be a good thing that Garland – who had once been told that he didn’t have what it took to wrestle in college, before going on to an All-American career at UVA – went with his gut. “I thought, ‘Well if I could do it, he could do it,’” Garland said. “He was better than me and I was the same size.”
Garland also had a feeling that Hayes’ academic résumé wasn’t indicative of his potential. “The word on the street was that there was nobody more mentally tough than this kid,” he said. “In my opinion, that goes a long way.”
In Hayes’ case, it certainly has.
Wrestling at 133 pounds in the NCAA Championships last Friday night, the redshirt senior pinned his opponent from California State University-Bakersfield to clinch All-America honors. He went on to place eighth in his weight class. “It was such a good feeling,” Hayes said. “All-American was so much better than anything I would have thought. Just that feeling of finally accomplishing it and seeing the work pay off – it was surreal and by far the greatest memory from my college wrestling career.” Hayes’ academic highlights haven’t been too shabby, either. … rest of story at https://news.virginia.edu/content/they-believed-me-wrestler-makes-most-his-time-grounds?mc_cid=e6e4e842ef&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – WRESTLING: TO GET BACK ON TOP, OHIO STATE HAS TO GET BETTER ON BOTTOM THIS OFFSEASON
Ohio State finished 9th in the final standings of the NCAA Wrestling Championships Saturday night in St. Louis, behind national champion Iowa, runner-up Penn State and fellow Big Ten foes Michigan and Minnesota. For a program that had finished no worse than third in the five most recent NCAA tournaments, it was a down year.
The Buckeyes were paced by a trio of All-Americans, including national runner-up Sammy Sasso at 149 pounds, 5th-place finisher Ethan Smith at 165, and 8th-place finisher Tate Orndorff at heavyweight. Three is the fewest number of All-Americans the team has placed since 2014, when Nick Heflin and Logan Stieber went 2nd and 1st, respectively. … rest of story at https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-wrestling/2021/03/121892/wrestling-to-get-back-on-top-ohio-state-has-to-get-better-on-bottom-this-offseason?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – THE RECORD FIVE BLACK NCAA DIV. I CHAMPIONS THIS YEAR ALL HAVE STRONG USA WRESTLING BACKGROUNDS
The wrestling community may have seen on social media in recent days a number of posts concerning the fact that a record five Black wrestlers won NCAA Div. I individual championships in St. Louis this past weekend.
These champions were (in weight order): Roman Bravo-Young of Penn State (133), David Carr of Iowa State (157), Carter Starocci of Penn State (174), Aaron Brooks of Penn State (184) and Gable Steveson of Minnesota (285). Obviously, the three Penn State wrestlers are teammates with the Nittany Lions. However, the athletes have also been teammates at various times on USA Wrestling World Teams and have developed friendships during their years in the sport.
The group came together after the championship finals. They celebrated their success and historic moment as a group with a number of photos and video clips that were posted on their own social media, as well as on other platforms on the historic night in St. Louis. In one photo, they flashed five fingers, recognizing their achievement as a group. … rest of story and photos at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/24/Five-Black-champions-from-NCAAs-and-their-USA-Wrestling-connection?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – PITT’S WENTZEL, HARVEY ANNOUNCE PLANS TO RETURN IN 2022
PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh wrestling program received extremely welcome news on Wednesday when a pair of senior wrestlers – NCAA finalist Jake Wentzel and NCAA qualifier Gregg Harvey – announced their plans to return for the Panthers in 2022.
Both Wentzel and Harvey were eligible for another year of competition after the NCAA’s decision to make the 2020-21 season not count against a student-athlete’s eligibility clock due to the pandemic.
The decision by the pair of Pitt NCAA qualifiers was certainly welcomed by head coach Keith Gavin, who just led the Panthers to their best NCAA team finish (11th, 40.5 points) since 1970. … rest of story at https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2021/3/24/wrestling-pitts-wentzel-harvey-announce-plans-to-return-in-2022.aspx?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – Pac-12 announces 2021 Pac-12 wrestling honors
SAN FRANCISCO – The Pac-12 Conference announced today the 2021 Pac-12 wrestling honors, as voted on by the Pac-12 coaches. STANFORD swept this year’s awards with redshirt sophomore Shane Griffith (165) earning Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year, redshirt freshman Jaden Abas (149) winning Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year and head coach Jason Borrelli taking home Pac-12 Coach of the Year accolades.
2021 PAC-12 WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Shane Griffith, R-So., STANFORD (Westwood, N.J.)
- Last year’s Pac-12 Wrestler and Freshman/Newcomer of the Year earned a No. 2 seed at the Conference championship and No. 8 seed at the NCAA Championship following a strong regular season.
- Became the second wrestler in program history to win a national championship, winning the 165-pound title, 6-2, over Pittsburgh’s Jake Wentzel.
- First Cardinal to win Most Outstanding Wrestler for the Tournament honors at the NCAA Championship. … rest of story at https://pac-12.com/article/2021/03/25/pac-12-announces-2021-pac-12-wrestling-honors?mc_cid=977ea0b267&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Myles Martin Comes Home, joins Scarlet Knights Wrestling Club
Former Ohio State Buckeye and 2016 NCAA champion Myles Martin is coming home. Martin , a Penns Grove, New Jersey native, has joined the Scarlet Knights Wrestling Club as a resident athlete according to sources. Though from New Jersey, Martin competed in high school at the McDonough School in Maryland. While attending McDonough, Martin won three Maryland State titles and three Prep National titles.
Martin went on to wrestle at Ohio State where he was a four-time All-American, placing 1st, 5th, 2nd, and 3rd at the NCAA tournament. Martin has continued his career in freestyle at the senior level, representing the Ohio RTC. … rest of story at https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/myles-martin-comes-home-joins-scarlet-knights-wrestling-club?mc_cid=7490ba8a46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – Former Pitt Wrestler, Matt Wilps, Finds Success in NASCAR Pit Crew
The professional path for an NCAA Division I wrestler after their collegiate career ends usually has three options for continued participation in sport: training for the Olympics, coaching, or something in the MMA, UFC or boxing realm. However, there is a fourth viable option that many former collegiate athletes, including wrestlers, are now embarking on with regularity: joining NASCAR pit crews.
Sometimes, when you play a sport from the time you were in the second grade until your early twenties, you can get burned out and need a bit of a change of pace – even if you were great at that sport.
This is the exact scenario Matt Wilps, a former two-time All-American wrestler at the University of Pittsburgh, found himself in after the 2013-14 college wrestling season, his first and only season on the coaching staff at his alma mater. “I enjoyed it [coaching],” Wilps said. “I enjoyed helping guys achieve what they could. Coaching just seemed like the next logical step. And I gave it a try. But I’ve been involved in wrestling so long, I wanted to try something else. I wanted to transition to something new.”
The “something new” was very new indeed to Wilps. He would try to become part of a NASCAR pit crew – a sport and occupation Wilps admittedly had zero familiarity with prior to his initial tryout with Hendrick Motorsports in late summer 2014. … rest of story at https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2021/03/21/former-pitt-wrestler-matt-wilps-finds-success-in-nascar-pit-crew/?mc_cid=7490ba8a46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Carolinas’ Colleges’ News (2021) – # 6
TDR Editor’s Notes ; A collection of articles, podcasts and blogs from across the Carolinas on college wrestlingaction the past month. University of North Carolina’s Austin O’Connor is a National Champion, Appalachian State’s Jonathan Milner is their newest All-American and North Carolina State will return several All-American wrestlers for next year. These are just some of the stories and highlights shared in the selections below. We welcome input and news to be sent in to us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com Keep On Wrestling!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – North Carolina coach Coleman Scott goes On The Mat
North Carolina head coach Coleman Scott goes On The Mat
Coleman Scott was a four-time All-American at Oklahoma State and a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in London. In 2021, he coached his first individual champion at North Carolina as Austin O’Connor won the 149-pound title, becoming the Tar Heels first NCAA champion since 1995. Join Kyle Klingman and Andy Hamilton as they talk about the world of wrestling on the flagship podcast of Trackwrestling.com.
Show Segments
0:35 – Andy rocks a Costanza (not Costanzo) wallet.
0:51 – Kyle literally got choked up – and you WILL hear about it later (hint hint)
1:18 – Division I championship recap – Iowa got it done. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1618178481084&twSessionId=hvkhhvdaai&videoId=1154527135&mc_cid=0dc666bfba&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – @PackWrestle Look Back: Top Tournament Performances
@PackWrestle Look Back: Top Tournament Performances Under Pat Popolizio
Revisit nine of the best tournament showings over the last few seasons
Wolfpack Wrestling shines bright on the big stage. Over the last seven NCAA Championships, the Pack has finished in the top-20 each and every time – a new school record. NC State brought home its first-ever team trophy in 2018 with a fourth place showing at the NCAA Championships. In 2021, the Pack cracked the top-10 for the second time in three tournaments with a six place team finish and four All-Americans.
In conference action, the Wolfpack has won each of the last three ACC Championships (2021, 2020 & 2019), and three of the last five overall (2016). … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/4/13/wrestling-packwrestle-look-back-top-tournament-performances.aspx?mc_cid=d0f3fda251&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Catching up with Pat Popolizio – NCS81
Subscribe to this show via: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS
Catch-up on Wolfpack Wrestling news with head coach Pat Popolizio on episode 81 of the #PackMentality Pop-Ins Podcast. Host Brian Reinhardt and Popolizio run the gamut of wrestling action over the past month, from the NCAA Championships to the Olympic Team Trials to four Super Senior returning to the Pack. The duo also offer up some breaking news, boasting loudly how the podcast ranks in Japan.
SUBSCRIBE TO #PACKMENTALITY POP-INS
Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spreaker | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Android | RSS
SUPPORT THE SHOW
And if you’re a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a team member. You’ll get some cool stuff too. … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/pack-mentality/catching-up-with-pat-popolizio-ncs81/?mc_cid=831636c404&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Millner Named SoCon Wrestler of the Month
BOONE, N.C. — Southern Conference champion and automatic NCAA Championships qualifier Jonathan Millner of App State has been named the SoCon Wrestler of the Month for February.
A redshirt junior from Greensboro, Millner went 4-0 last month with three wins against ranked opponents, including a 2-0 victory against Campbell’s Joshua Heil during a top-15 showdown in the SoCon Championship final at 149 pounds. At the time, Heil was ranked 11th in the country at that weight, and Millner has earned a No. 7 seed in his 33-man bracket for next week’s NCAA competition in St. Louis.
In February, Millner also had two major decisions against another ranked opponent, Selwyn Porter of The Citadel, after posting a 10-0 major decision against VMI’s Job Chishko. Millner won by scores of 13-1 and 10-2 (in a SoCon semifinal) against Porter, a 2020 NCAA qualifier.
Millner is 13-1 on the season after qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the second straight year. … rest of story at https://appstatesports.com/news/2021/3/12/wrestling-millner-named-socon-wrestler-of-the-month.aspx?mc_cid=adf7973f0f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Gwiazdowski into Best-of-Three Finals for Spot in Summer Olympics
Former Wolfpack national champion back in action Saturday night
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – With a pair of shutouts today, former NC State two-time national Champion Nick Gwiazdowksi has reached the final stages of qualifying to represent the U.S. at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Gwiazdowski will face Gable Steveson tomorrow night in a Best-of-Three Finals series, with the winner getting to represent the U.S. at 125kg at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
In the Challenge Tournament semifinals in the night session, the top-seeded Gwiazdowski downed #4 seed Dom Bradley 6-0. After a clock violation point, Gwiazdowski scored an exposure to take a 3-0 lead at the break. He then added a pushout, and a takedown in the final seconds for the final margin. … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/4/2/wrestling-gwiazdowski-into-best-of-three-finals-for-spot-in-summer-olympics.aspx?mc_cid=b369974b64&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Four Super Seniors to Return to @PackWrestle
All four were part of the #1 recruiting class in 2016
RALEIGH, N.C. – With the NCAA providing an extra year of eligibility for all winter sports in 2021, four members of the NC State wrestling team will take advantage of the ruling and return to the Pack as Super Seniors for the 2021-22 collegiate season.
Thomas Bullard, Hayden Hidlay, Nick Reenan and Tariq Wilson will all be returning to the Pack’s lineup for one final season. The four were all starters and NCAA Qualifiers in 2021, and they made up part of the #1 recruiting class back in 2016.
The four have combined to earn eight All-American honors, five individual ACC titles and have qualified for the NCAA Championships 15 out of a possible 16 seasons. They have also helped the Wolfpack win seven team trophies during their careers.
• Thomas Bullard (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Bullard is a four-time NCAA Qualifier, his first season at 157 pounds and the last three at 165. 2022 will mark the first season he will wrestle without his twin brother, Daniel, on the same team since they came to NC State.
• Hayden Hidlay (Lewistown, Pa.)
NC State’s first-ever four-time All-American, Hidlay announced on the #PackMentality Pop-Ins Podcast that not only will he be returning, but he will be moving up two weight classes to 174 pounds. Hidlay became the 10th wrestler in ACC history to win four ACC Championships, all at157 pounds, and he placed fifth at the 2021 NCAA Championships. … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/4/6/wrestling-four-super-seniors-to-return-to-packwrestle.aspx?mc_cid=c3ca94c3de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Lausier Lands 11 Commits for the Class of 2025
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Head wrestling coach Andy Lausier and assistants Joey Dance and Chad Walsh have been hard at work locking down the 11-man Class of 2025, officially announced by Lausier Monday.
“The incoming recruiting class represents a huge step forward for Davidson Wrestling. We are adding great talent and future potential to our team, but most importantly Davidson Wrestling will now operate with a roster that aligns itself with the NCAA average size among all Division I wrestling programs,” said Lausier. “With 11 incoming freshmen, and 30 total wrestlers on the team, this is the biggest recruiting class and team roster in the history of Davidson Wrestling.“
The class totaled 12 state medals and 10 competing at the national level.
Braeden Baller | 165 | Fort Worth, Texas
Baller was a three-time Texas State Champion at All Saints Episcopal School and a Tulsa National Champion. He posted an 87-10 record and was twice a Prep Nationals All-American and Freestyle All-American.
Nick Cambria | 125 | Cummings, Ga.
Cambria joins the Wildcats after grappling for Buford High School in Cumming, Ga. While at Buford, he compiled a 139-32 record and placed four times at the State Championship level, earning a pair of silver’s, a fourth and sixth place spot, respectively.
Noah Frack | 141/149 | Topton, Pa.
Frack earned a state medal in 2019 and compiled a 94-12 record throughout his career at Brandywine Heights High School. He placed among the top seven in back-to-back PIAA Championships including a fifth-place result in 2020. Frack has earned a pair of medals at the AAU Junior Olympic Games, high school division, including a first-place showing in 2019.
Matt McLaughlin | 125 | Broad Run, Va.
McLaughlin hit the century mark in wins while competing at Kettle Run High School, going 113-37 in his career. He placed as high as third at the State Championship and was a two-year captain.
Sam Nini | 133/141 | Cream Ridge, N.J.
Nini, a New Jersey State qualifier and a three-time regional qualifier went 68-25 at Christian Brothers Academy. … rest of story at https://davidsonwildcats.com/news/2021/4/12/wrestling-lausier-lands-11-commits-for-the-class-of-2025.aspx
8 } – AUSTIN O’CONNOR NAMED ACC WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
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 by the conference. “We’re incredibly proud of Austin for how he represents our program,” said Head Coach Coleman Scott. “He’s truly an example for how to use hard work and dedication to reach your goals. He’s deserving of this award after the season he had. I couldn’t be more excited about what he is doing at Carolina and am looking forward to seeing how he continues to succeed.”
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 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, … rest of story at https://goheels.com/news/2021/3/31/wrestling-austin-o-connor-named-acc-wrestler-of-the-year.aspx
9} – #PackMentality Pop-Ins Podcast: Ep. 80 – The Decision with Hayden Hidlay
RALEIGH, N.C. – With the conclusion of the 2021 NCAA Championships, we now turn to the offseason on Episode 80 of the #PackMentality Pop-Ins Podcast. Some major decisions are going to be announced in regards to the extra year of eligibility, as host Brian Reinhardt visits with four-time All-American Hayden Hidlay to talk about his NC State Wrestling journey and what lies ahead in his future. … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/3/24/wrestling-packmentality-pop-ins-podcast-ep-80-the-decision-with-hayden-hidlay.aspx?mc_cid=3727c6a762&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Our Wolfpack RTC from a Coach’s Perspective
Editor’s Note: Adam Hall joined the NC State Wrestling program for the 2015-16 season. Not only to the Wolfpack coaches serve the current roster, but they are heavily involved with the Senior-lever athletes in the Wolfpack’s RTC. As we head toward the U.S. Olympic Team Trials this weekend, here is one perspective about all the work that goes into the job.
Hall: In the summer of 2019, I spent eight days in Colorado Springs with Michael Macchiavello, Tommy Gantt, and Jacob Kasper as they helped Nick Gwiazdowski and other members of the 2019 U.S. Senior World Team prepare for the World Championships. Aside from World Team members and their selected training partners, other athletes and coaches must pay for their room and board, flights, and any additional travel costs. The trip opened my eyes to the resources it takes to help athletes prepare for one of the biggest tournaments of their lives. We lived on the Olympic Training Center’s campus and trained multiple times a day in their facilities. We ate at a high-performance dining hall and utilized all resources for lifting and recovery as well in their state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center. A significant part of our Wolfpack RTC’s success comes from the outside support we receive from generous donors. Training camps, competitions, and athlete’s salaries are all funded by contributions to the RTC. I appreciate our RTC donors even more, especially after having had the opportunity to coach our RTC internationally.
International trips have given our wrestlers a dynamic experience, but comes with high cost. After the U.S. Training Camp, Nick, Mike, Jacob and I spent two weeks overseas. The first week was spent in Germany at the Ramstein Air Force Base for a final team training camp. The second week was spent in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan for the World Championships. Ramstein afforded the opportunity to acclimate to a similar time zone before heading to Kazakhstan to compete. We lived in their on-base hotel, practiced in their community recreation center, and had meals catered for specific dietary needs. Again, the respective RTCs of coaches and athletes who were not paid for were responsible for all associated costs. Flights alone, I departed Raleigh for Munich for the training camp, left Munich heading to Nur-Sultan for the World Championships, flew back to Munich after the tournament, then finally returned to Raleigh. … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/3/29/wrestling-our-wolfpack-rtc-from-a-coachs-perspective.aspx?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Millner becomes eighth All-American wrestler in App history at NCAA Championships
ST. LOUIS — Appalachian State wrestling added a new All-American to its history books on Saturday, March 20, when redshirt junior Jonathan Millner secured eighth place in the 149-pound weight class at the NCAA Division I Championships in St. Louis. Millner was part of a record-setting seven wrestlers from App to attend, alongside Codi Russell (125), Sean Carter (133), Anthony Brito (141), Cody Bond (157), Will Formato (165) and Thomas Flitz (174). Formato and Flitz each received at-large bids to make it to the championships, while the other five Mountaineers were Southern Conference Champions in their weight class for automatic bids.
Russell, Carter and Millner were the only three to make it past the first day of the competition, with no other Mountaineers securing a win in their two matches each. Millner secured two day-one wins, while Carter and Russell both went 1-1. Carter lost to eventual national champion Roman Bravo-Young of Penn State. On day two, Carter and Russell were stopped, but Millner kept going through the tournament. Millner lost in the third round of the tournament to Austin O’Connor of University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, but made up for it with a win over Duke’s Josh Finesilver in the “Wrestlebacks” bracket, allowing those who have already lost to compete for up to a third-placed finish.
O’Connor would later beat Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso to win the national title in the 149 weight class. Millner’s run came to an end against Florida State’s Kyle Parco, but he finished high enough to make Mountaineer history. By winning an All-American spot, the Greensboro native joins the seven other NCAA All-Americans in program history, Charles Parks (1941), Al Crawford (1941), Donnell Rawls (1992), Mark Fee (2002, 2003), Kyle Blevins (2012), Austin Trotman (2012) and Denzel Dejournette (2017). “I’m just really proud of Jon Jon and having another All-American in this rich tradition of App State Wrestling,” App Head Coach JohnMark Bentley was quoted … rest of story at https://www.wataugademocrat.com/sports/millner-becomes-eighth-all-american-wrestler-in-app-history-at-ncaa-championships/article_c3e13580-415a-5e26-a872-08a9adf660c3.html?mc_cid=7490ba8a46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – ACC Champion Daniel Bullard and Sport Administrator Josh Dalton – NCS78
With the brackets still yet to be revealed, head coach Pat Popolizio goes into hiding, leaving host Brian Reinhardt with the opportunity to bring NC State Sport Administrator Josh Dalton on to the #PackMentality Pop-Ins Podcast. After we get an update from Dalton, Reinhardt will FINALLY get ACC Champion Dalton Bullard on the show for the first time. What are the differences between the Bullard twins and why does Brian still mess it up?
SUPPORT THE SHOW
And if you’re a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a TEAM MEMBER today. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of team membership. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a team member. You’ll get some cool stuff too. … rest of story at https://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/pack-mentality/acc-champion-daniel-bullard-and-sport-administrator-josh-dalton-ncs78/?mc_cid=2cfe70fede&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And #PackMentality Pop-Ins Podcast: Ep. 78 – ACC Champion Daniel Bullard
RALEIGH, N.C. – With the brackets still yet to be revealed, head coach Pat Popolizio goes into hiding, leaving host Brian Reinhardt with the opportunity to bring NC State Sport Administrator Josh Dalton on episode No. 78 of the #PackMentality Pop-Ins Podcast. After we get an update from Dalton, Reinhardt will FINALLY get 2021 ACC Champion Daniel Bullard on the show for the first time. How has life changed now that one of the Bullard twins is married? … rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2021/3/10/wrestling-packmentality-pop-ins-podcast-ep-78-acc-champion-daniel-bullard.aspx?mc_cid=2a2fd7a25b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – COMMENTARY: NCAA extended eligibility could produce a never-before-seen Wolfpack
With the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel getting closer every day, for NC State Athletics, it will come in the form of something more than just a return to normalcy: extended eligibility. Due to the odd athletic season every collegiate athlete saw this year, the NCAA has decided to extend an extra year of eligibility for all 2020-2021 winter and fall athletes, regardless of if their team played or not. By doing so, this has given some athletes a fifth year of eligibility and in some cases, a sixth.
So what does this mean for the Wolfpack? It means we will see a large percentage of senior starters and leaders returning to their respective sports for one last season of competition, giving the team an edge through the returning experienced athletes. Benefiting greatly from the extended eligibility will be NC State wrestling. With the 2016 No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, four of those seniors will be returning to the mat for one last season.
This includes redshirt seniors Thomas Bullard, Nick Reenan, Tariq Wilson and Hayden Hidlay. Between the four, they have qualified for nationals 15 times, won five ACC titles and received eight All-American honors. Hidlay has announced he will be moving up to the 174 weight class to compete in the 2022 season, wrestling closer in weight with his brother, national runner-up redshirt sophomore Trent Hidlay. Pack wrestling is not the only powerhouse getting its stars back. Top-seeded women’s basketball ended the season with three starters scheduled to depart from the Pack. However, due to NCAA’s new eligibility, we will see all three on the court next season. … rest of story at http://www.technicianonline.com/sports/article_b18c6f4a-9814-11eb-863f-eba335f093e8.html?mc_cid=480d7959b9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
COMPLETE LIST OF USA WRESTLING SANCTIONED EVENTS FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS AS OF APRIL 12 (112 EVENTS)
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 112 tournaments/clinics listed from 33 different states over the next three months. Since our posting on April 5, there are 25 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.
There has been an increase in events on the state level, where more opportunity is being provided for youth and high school wrestlers, with the start of the traditional international style season in many states. We are seeing many state championship events held by various state associations.
New Jersey leads the nation with new events added to the schedule this week with five, all of which are state championships. States that added two sanctioned events this week were Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana and Texas. Other states adding a new sanctioned event were Alaska, Florida, Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The National event schedule includes the UWW Cadet U15 and Futures Nationals in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (April 23-25), the UWW Junior and Senior Nationals in Coralville, Iowa (April 30-May 2), the Women’s Nationals in Irving, Texas (May 7-8), 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)
Now on the schedule are the Northern Plains Regionals in Wisconsin (May 14-16), the Northeast Regionals in Pocono Manor, Pa. (May 14-16), the Western Regionals in Utah (May 13-15), 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).
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. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/12/Sanctioned-events-as-of-April-12?mc_cid=3018ac16e0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Women’s Wrestling News (2021) – # 12 {International}
TDR Editor’s Notes ; This year could be the 5th consecutive summer Olympic games with women’s wrestling competition. The growth in wrestling opportunities for women continues on all levels. Thus this is our first collection of articles focused just on the international teams and competitions. Keep on Wrestling.
E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – WCL announces hosts for 2022-2024 events, reissues bid
OTTAWA – Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) has announced the results of its request for proposal for event hosting for 2022 to 2024.
Six events were put up for bid, and following a detailed assessment by WCL’s Event Hosting Advisory Committee and ratification by the Board of Directors, WCL is pleased to announce that hosts for the following events have been approved:
2022 Wrestling Trials (Cadet, Junior, Senior) – Edmonton, AB
2023 Wrestling Championships (U17 & U19) – Vancouver, BC
2024 Wrestling Championships (U17 & U19) – Mississauga, ON
Some bids received were not compliant with new regulations, and as such, the BOD has approved the reissuance of RFPs for the following events in the near future:
2022 Canadian Wrestling Championships
2023 Canadian Wrestling Trials
2024 Canadian Wrestling Trials … rest of story at https://wrestling.ca/wcl-announces-hosts-for-2022-2024-events-reissues-bid/?mc_cid=2a2fd7a25b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – MENSAH-STOCK WINS GOLD TO CLAIM FIRST MEDAL FOR USA AT MATTEO PELLICONE
ROME – 2019 World champion Tamyra Mensah-Stock dominated in her finals match to earn gold at the 2021 Matteo Pellicone International in Rome, Italy, on Friday.
RECAP FROM MORNING SESSION
Wrestling at 68 kg, Tamyra Mensah-Stock continued an impressive day with an 11-0 performance over 2020 Individual World Cup bronze medalist Mimi Hristova of Bulgaria in the gold-medal finals. Mensah-Stock used two takedowns to propel her to a 4-0 lead at the break. Early in the second period, she tacked on another takedown, followed by two sets of exposure to give Mensah-Stock a 10-0 win. However, Bulgaria’s corner challenged but it failed, resulting in another point for the American.
Mensah-Stock’s gold is the first medal for the United States this weekend at the event.
Also competing for a medal at 68 kg was 2018 U23 World bronze medalist Alex Glaude, who took on 2019 Pan American Games silver medalist Olivia Di Bacco of Canada in the bronze match. Glaude led halfway through the second period, but a late takedown eventually gave Di Bacco a 6-4 win, and Glaude finished fifth. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/05/Mensah-Stock-wins-gold-at-Pellicone?mc_cid=92195b958e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And WRESTLING HELPED TAMYRA MENSAH-STOCK FIND HER CONFIDENCE AND HER CALLING
Listen to Tamyra Mensah-Stock speak for more than a minute or two and it’s difficult to imagine her as anything but the self-assured world champion she has become.
Her personality is effervescent, determined, brimming with belief. Traits that suggest she could excel at anything she tried. But that’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg dilemma for the 28-year-old, simply because the sport itself has been so critical to her growth. “I’ve always been a bubbly person,” she said. “But confident? Not so much. Wrestling really helped me.”
Mensah-Stock’s path to becoming the top-ranked wrestler in the world in her weight class began reluctantly. As a sophomore at Morton Ranch High School in Katy, Texas, track and field was her sport of choice, as it had been for years. She ran the 200-meter, sometimes the 400, and the longer sprint relays, in addition to competing in the triple jump and long jump.
One day, her twin sister Tarkiya, who was on the Morton Ranch wrestling team, said the sport’s coaches had suggested she try and convince Tamyra to join the squad. It didn’t seem a natural fit. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/February/24/Wrestling-Helped-Tamyra-Mensah-Stock-Find-Her-Confidence-And-Her-Calling?mc_cid=7c3cd1ad34&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Anthony, Moore Star for USA with Gold at Matteo Pellicone
OSTIA, Italy (March 7) — Victory ANTHONY (USA) had been to five Ranking Series before arriving in Rome for the Matteo Pellicone event. For all her efforts, she had won two bronze medals scattered over 2019 and 2020. Despite being one of the top wrestlers at 50kg, Anthony somehow had failed to finish at the top of the podium at major international events. But Saturday was different.
Wrestling at her second Matteo Pellicone event, the USA wrestler showcased why she is still a force to reckon by winning the gold medal after defeating European champion Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL) 15-10 in the final on Saturday. This was USA’s second gold medal in women’s wrestling as Taymara Mensah-Stock won the gold at 68kg on Friday. “It was the biggest win for me in recent history which is like five years,” Anthony said. “This is the first tournament where I have wrestled to my potential, peak ability. I am really happy with that.” … rest of story at https://uww.org/article/anthony-moore-star-usa-gold-matteo-pellicone?mc_cid=3fad4ffad8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Di Bacco picks up silver, Wiebe bronze in Ukraine
KIEV, Ukraine – Olivia Di Bacco and Erica Wiebe reached the podium at the Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial tournament. Di Bacco, of Orillia, Ont., lost the 68 kg gold medal match 1-1 on criteria to Meerim Zhumanazarova of Kyrgyzstan. Each wrestler scored a point for passivity, but Di Bacco was unable to score after trailing on criteria. Wiebe won her bronze medal matchup against Anna Melnyk of Ukraine with a pin. Wiebe, of Stittsville, Ont., had pinned two other opponents in the tournament to reach the bronze medal match. … https://wrestling.ca/di-bacco-picks-up-silver-wiebe-bronze-in-ukraine/?mc_cid=02f3563d01&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – GRAY ON THE MIC
Coming To You Live…
It’s fair to say we’re all BIG fans of the 2016 Olympian and 5X Senior World Champion Adeline Gray. I’m here to say that many of us are also BIG fans of Adeline Gray on the competition mic!
Gray has recently hosted event commentary for two major wrestling events:
2021 All-WFS Captains Cup
2021 PAC-12 Wrestling Championships
The Olympian is no stranger to public speaking and being one of the faces of Team USA Wrestling and non-profit Wrestle Like A Girl. But having her on the sports commentary is a different game. And she’s good at it.
During the Captain’s Cup, it was assumed someone from FloWrestling would be “manning” the mic like the RTC Cup event. So it made perfect sense for Gray to join Flo’s Mark Bader for both days of Captains’ Cup commentary since she was in Iowa for the event. … rest of story at https://www.wreaperwrestling.com/gray-on-the-mic/?mc_cid=d34d798fb2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Eight Years After Olympic Struggle, Women Look to Become Wrestling’s Next Generation of Leaders
CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (March 8) — When Nenad Lalovic was appointed interim president of the international federation for wrestling in 2013 the sport faced an uphill battle for Olympic reinstatement and lacked wide-reaching respect among those in the global sports community. Behind the scenes, the federation was suffering from a number of issues, primary among them an ineffective outreach to female athletes and leaders. Few opportunities existed for women interested in taking the mats and even fewer were available for those interested in positions of leadership.
On the mats women only had four Olympic weight categories while their male counterparts in freestyle enjoyed seven. There were few female bureau members, no commissions aimed at increasing diversity, and an overall dearth of experienced women in place to change the future. “We knew that we needed to change,” said Lalovic. “Re-branding and changing the rules were important, but as a federation it was vital we make efforts to diversify and include more women. We wanted to find a way to promote their activities and give them opportunities to succeed and gain experience.” … rest of story at https://uww.org/article/eight-years-after-olympic-struggle-women-look-become-wrestlings-next-generation-leaders?mc_cid=b1fa7a1c33&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Epp Mäe does not give up single point in victory in Ukraine
Estonian freestyle wrestler Epp Mäe was victorious in a United World Wrestling (UWW) tournament in Kyiv, Ukraine, over the weekend, not giving up a single point in her tournament win. The 28-year old Mäe, participating in the Kyiv tournament in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics in summer, started the tournament with a win over Catelina Axente, last year’s European championships bronze medalist. Mäe won on points – 6:0.
The Estonian went into the quarterfinals, facing Lithuanian wrestler Kamile Gaucaite. Mäe took a dominant 10:0 win in the first half of the match-up. Mäe then faced off against two-time European champ Belarusian Vasilisa Marzaliuk, giving up no points to the Belarusian and finishing with a 4:0 victory, taking the Estonian into the finals.
Mäe’s Saturday night final saw her face off against 21-year old Kyrgyzstani wrestler Aiperi Medet Kyzy, who took a silver medal in the 2020 Asian Championships in New Delhi. Mäe took the final at a score of 2:0 – one point coming from passivity from Kyzy in the first half and the second coming from Mäe forcing the young Kyrgyzstani out of the ring in the second half. … rest of story at https://news.err.ee/1608126325/epp-mae-does-not-give-up-single-point-in-victory-in-ukraine
7 } – Competitive Last Chance Qualifier Finalizes the Field for Olympic Team Trials
Fort Worth, Texas — Competition at the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier was fierce. The high school standouts came out strong and didn’t let up. Sage Mortimer, a senior from Utah, absolutely upended the competition at 50 kg, winning matches over four college All-Americans—including this year’s NCAA and NAIA finalists—to earn the top spot. At 68 kg, Kennedy Blades (Sunkist Kids) and Kylie Welker (Nazar Trained) shutout everyone in their way. Welker was able to score in the finals, but Blades proved to be the top contender with another unstoppable tech, 16-6. All three high schoolers earned spots at their first Olympic Team Trials.
Nearly half of the field was college wrestlers. The 53 kg final was a battle between All-Americans Melanie Mendoza (King/NCWWC fifth at 116) and Marissa Gallegos (Colorado Mesa/NCWWC finalist at 123) with Mendoza winning 7-6 after Gallegos’ corner lost a final challenge. The match came down to a funky exchange in the final seconds. This full use of six minutes was standard for Mendoza, and a reminder that a wrestling match is a complete six minutes. In the semis she was down by six points with just over a minute left in the match—her high-c and adjustments on the finish earned her the takedown and exposure to win on criteria, but she ended the match over Victoria Smith by fall. Mendoza and Gallegos both qualified for the Olympic Team Trials. … rest of story at https://www.transitionwrestling.com/competitive-last-chance-qualifier-finalizes-the-field-for-olympic-team-trials/?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
And Estrella-Beauchamp excited for trip to US Olympic Trials
Baldwin grad to have in-person support from cousin Estrella
Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp is headed to rare territory for a Maui wrestler — the U.S. Olympic Trials this week in Fort Worth, Texas. Her cousin Nanea Estrella will be along to provide support. Estrella-Beauchamp, a 2020 Baldwin High School graduate who competes for Midland University in Fremont, Neb., qualified for the trials via her NAIA national championship at 143 pounds earlier this month. She is the first trials qualifier from Maui since Grant Nakamura made it to the men’s event in 2008. Women’s wrestling was added to the Olympics in 2004.
“I have exactly one week left,” Estrella-Beachamp said Saturday via phone from Nebraska. “I’m very excited, this is a blessing and an opportunity. I have worked very hard to get to where I am and I’m just so grateful and humble and everyone else for helping me.” … rest of story at https://www.mauinews.com/sports/local-sports/2021/03/estrella-beauchamp-excited-for-trip-to-us-olympic-trials/?mc_cid=a2abe03ca2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Helen Maroulis, trailblazing Olympic wrestling champion, back at trials after briefly retiring
Helen Maroulis had enough. She grabbed her phone, called her mom and said it: I’m retiring. That was a year and a half ago. Maroulis, who in 2016 became the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic wrestling title, was by the end of 2017 one of the world’s dominant athletes not only in her sport, but also across all sports.
Life changed on Jan. 10, 2018. Maroulis suffered a head injury in a match in India. She endured most of 2018 and 2019 sidelined by concussions, shoulder surgery and post-traumatic stress disorder. She spent days in dark, silent rooms. She wore noise-canceling headphones and special glasses. At its worst, she didn’t recognize her own reflection in the mirror. It got really bad after her last concussion in August 2019. She wondered if she would ever return to a normal life. “I just decided that I wanted to be done with wrestling at that time,” she said last week.
But Maroulis is not done with the craft that she’s loved since going 1-30 in her first year at age 7. Following her brother onto the mat, she bet their dad that if she won her first match, she could continue. It turned out to be her only victory all year. … rest of story at https://sports.yahoo.com/helen-maroulis-trailblazing-olympic-wrestling-111321235.html?mc_cid=44df579129&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – JACARRA WINCHESTER FIGHTS HER WAY TO OLYMPIC WRESTLING TEAM
Jacarra Winchester broke out in an ear-to-ear smile then quickly covered her face with both hands and dropped from her knees to her back on the wrestling mat. Her upper body heaved with the emotion of knowing she was going to the Olympic Games this summer in Tokyo, even though she’d expected nothing less.
“No surprise there,” she clarified in her post-match press conference at last weekend’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling in Fort Worth, Texas. “I was happy. There’s a difference. … All your emotions hit you when you realize, ‘I’m going to the Olympics.’” Winchester, 28, is already a world champion. She earned that title in 2019 as the U.S. women had their best showing ever at the world championships with a total of three gold medalists. Now she’ll be favored to reach the podium, if not win it all, in her Olympic debut.
Winchester, who grew up in Oakland, California, said she has always been a fighter. As a kid who had a lisp, she was the target of bullying, but not an easy target by any stretch. “I just didn’t take any mess from anybody,” she told reporters. “You want to fight, we’re going to fight. I don’t do bullying. I think you should treat everyone the way you want to be treated. If someone was looking for a fight and wanted to fight me, I’d give them the benefit of the doubt and always say, ‘I don’t want to fight,’ but if you keep poking the bear the bear’s going to turn around and attack.” … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/News/2021/April/09/Jacarra-Winchester-Fights-Her-Way-To-Olympic-Wrestling-Team?mc_cid=e835860738&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#.YHCLJEp6q7I.twitter
10 } – MAROULIS, GRAY RETURN TO OLYMPICS; U.S. WOMEN MENSAH-STOCK, HILDEBRANDT, WINCHESTER AND MIRACLE QUALIFY FOR THEIR FIRST GAMES IN TOKYO
FORT WORTH, Texas — In 2019, Tamyra Mensah-Stock won a world championship. Saturday night she earned the right to try to win an Olympic gold medal. Fittingly for her, it was deep in the heart of Texas.
A native of Katy, Texas, Mensah-Stock (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club) won the 68 kg best-of-three series 2-0 against rising star 17-year-old Kennedy Blades (Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club), 12-4 and 8-1. Mensah-Stock collapsed to her knees and could be heard shrieking with joy after her second win, which punched her ticket to the Tokyo Games.
“This has been a long time coming. In 2016, I fell short. I wanted to come back and prove to everybody and myself that I could become an Olympian and I did it. I’m so proud of myself. There’s no pressure now. I went out there and qualified the weight class, so I knew I had to represent the U.S. at 68 kg in Tokyo,” said Mensah-Stock. Adeline Gray (New York Athletic Club) will be on hand to give Mensah-Stock, and the rest of the U.S. women’s freestyle team, any advice she or they might need in Tokyo. Gray, the five-time World Champion and 2016 Olympian, maintained her stranglehold on 76 kg.
Kylie Welker (TMWC), who wrote a Cinderella story with her march from a No. 14 seed to the finals, was no match for Gray, who rolled to 10-0 and 11-0 wins. Helen Maroulis (SKWC/Nittany Lion Wrestling Club) can offer valuable advice on not only attending an Olympic Games, but also winning a gold. The 2016 gold medal winner, the first in U.S. history, will be trying to duplicate that feat. She had to work hard to represent the U.S. at 57 kg this time around. Her best-of-three series with Jenna Burkert (Army WCAP) went the distance. Maroulis rallied for a 5-3 win in the first.
… rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/April/04/Womens-freestyle-wrap-at-OTT?mc_cid=7136a52740&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
11 } – TOKYO 202ONE – Miracle makes first Olympic team after winning 2021 Olympic Trials Saturday evening
FORT WORTH, Texas – Kayla Miracle is Tokyo bound after winning the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials at 62kg and will make her Olympic debut this summer. Miracle, a 2019 World Team member, 2019 U23 World silver medalist and three-time U23 World Team member, triumphed over Macey Kilty (SKWC) in the best-of-three series, being extended to three matches.
Miracle, 24, won 8-4 in the first, but Kilty battled back to pull even with a 4-3 win in bout two. In the deciding third bout, Miracle scored a takedown and Kilty could not continue, giving Miracle an injury default win and a spot on the Olympic Team. Miracle was joined in Texas at the Olympic Trials by fellow Lady Tiger alums and current roster members – Abby Nette (57kg), McKayla Campbell (50kg), Mariah Harris (76kg), Alexandra Castillo (76kg) and Charlotte Fowler (50kg).
The U.S. women’s team will have the fire-power to challenge powerhouse Japan for supremacy in the Tokyo Games. The group includes an Olympic champion, two Olympians, four World champions, five World medalists and all six with Senior World Championships experience.
Her teammates have vast experience at the international level. Helen Maroulis (57 kg) will look to defend her 2016 gold medal at the Rio Olympic games, Adeline Gray (76 kg) a five-time world champion and competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sarah Hildebrandt (50 kg) who was the 2018 world silver medalist, 2019 world champion Jacarra Winchester (53 kg), and Tamyra Mensah-Stock (68 kg) will make her Olympic debut after falling short in the 2016 trials. Miracle was a four-time WCWA National Champion during her time at Campbellsville University. Her fourth title in 2018 secured the Lady Tigers their first WCWA national title in program history. … rest of story at https://campbellsvilletigers.com/news/2021/4/4/womens-wrestling-miracle-makes-her-first-olympic-team-after-winning-the-2021-olympic-trials-saturday-evening.aspx?mc_cid=7136a52740&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
12 } – University of Calgary wrestling legend Wiebe named to Canada West Hall of Fame
From not making the varsity team during her rookie year at the University of Calgary to Olympic champion, Erica Wiebe’s hall of fame story is an inspiring one. The 2016 Olympic gold medallist was announced Tuesday as the latest inductee in the Canada West Hall of Fame. A five-year student-athlete with the Dinos wrestling team between 2007-12, Wiebe was a three-time CIS gold medallist as a student-athlete, helping the Dinos to three conference titles and a national championship.
But it wasn’t always easy for Wiebe, who used her time at the University of Calgary to build on her love of the sport and grow into elite company. While with Calgary, Wiebe was a three-time CIS gold medallist in the 72-kilogram division (2009, ’11, ’12) and part of three Canada West team championships (2008, ’09, ’11), along with one CIS championship team (2009). … rest of story at https://calgarysun.com/sports/olympics/u-of-c-wrestling-legend-wiebe-named-to-canada-west-hall-of-fame?mc_cid=e764d9125d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Carroll receives Roy Heverly Award, becomes first West wrestler to earn honor named for Patriot great
West Carteret’s River Carroll holds The Takedown Report’s Roy Heverly Award. Others in the photo are, left to right, The Takedown Report’s Martin Fleming, West Carteret coach Kevin Smith and Carroll’s father, Sean. (J.J. Smith photo)
MOREHEAD CITY — The presentation of the Roy Heverly Award during the West Carteret and Northside-Jacksonville football game Monday night seemed entirely appropriate and ironic.
The Takedown Report’s Martin Fleming presented the honor named for the former Patriot standout to a West wrestler for the first time in its 19-year history.
River Carroll, however, has yet to wrestle in a West uniform after transferring from Swansboro.
“Oh, wow, that’s crazy,” Carroll responded when learning he was the first Patriot wrestler to receive the honor. “I didn’t know about that. That is super cool. Mr. Fleming told me he was a West Carteret wrestler.” Carroll is only the fourth county wrestler to receive the award, joining East Carteret’s Beau Studebaker (2017), Croatan’s Ryan Blackwell (2009) and Croatan’s Jake O’Laker (2006).
The Takedown Report gives the Roy Heverly Award to the top underclassman scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina. Heverly was one of the best wrestlers in state history in his time at West. “These awards recognize the most successful wrestlers in the area each year,” Fleming said. “It encourages the young men from the teams in the eastern part of the state with another opportunity for others to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top wrestler.”
Carroll won the 3A 160-pound class state title last season as a junior after defeating North Iredell senior Chandler Jordan 5-0 in the final. Carroll finished the season 60-1, while Jordan ended 47-3. “I definitely worked hard for it,” Carroll said. “I had good coaches. My dad helped me out a lot. We would be wrestling till 10 o’clock at night.”
Heverly is the wrestler all other county wrestlers have been judged by for the past 42 years. He went undefeated during the 1979-1980 season on his way to becoming the first freshman in North Carolina history to win a state championship. He finished third and second over the next two seasons, losing to the same wrestler each time, Grimsley’s David Schneiderman. Heverly responded with another undefeated season as a senior for his second state title. Those state championships are even more impressive considering there was only one state champion crowned in each weight class, unlike today when state titles are given to individuals in each weight class in four classifications (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A).
Heverly was named N.C. Wrestler of the Year and a High School All-American during his time at West and finished his career with one of the best records in state history at 110-2-1. … rest of story at https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/sports/article_77c9a9ec-9708-11eb-9cc4-7f8293ade0bb.html
And Carroll commits to wrestling at Virginia Military Institute with dual purpose in mind
MOREHEAD CITY — River Carroll has wanted to do something in the medical field since he was in kindergarten and wanted to go into the military since he was in the eighth grade. And so, the West Carteret senior plans on combining the two by choosing the Virginia Military Institute to continue his wrestling career. He hopes to eventually become a medical officer in the Army or Navy. “My dad is in the military, my mom’s side of the family is in the military, so with that background, it is familiar to me,” he said. “I definitely want to serve my country.”
Carroll’s father is a major in the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune. Carroll attended Swansboro for the past three years before transferring to West before his senior year. He brings an impressive résumé with him to the Patriots. He won the 3A 160-pound class state title last season as a junior after defeating North Iredell senior Chandler Jordan 5-0 in the final. Carroll finished the season 60-1, while Jordan ended 47-3.
“He’s the first transfer we’ve had like this,” West coach Kevin Smith said of Carroll’s talents. “It’s unusual for us, but we’re obviously very pleased about it.” He’s compiled a 129-18 record in his three-year varsity career. The road to a state championship and a commitment to a Division I college has been a long one. He started wrestling when he was 8, and when it was difficult to find competitive youth wrestling in the area, his family drove him to Wilmington three days a week for four years to participate with the Port City Pirates. “I love it,” Carroll said. “Wrestling is a lifestyle. It’s not just a sport. You have to love it, and I absolutely love it.”
Carroll will be joined by a familiar face at VMI in the form of fellow Port City Pirates teammate Conner Johnson of Laney High School. Johnson committed to the Keydets after finishing third in the state last season. Division I college wresting has been known to make mincemeat of many a state champion, but Carroll reported he isn’t too concerned about the level of commitment required to compete at that level. “I will be prepared,” he said. “I know Division I wrestling is a whole other game, but I will be able to adapt.” Smith also believes that with Carroll’s talent and work ethic, his transition to the next level should be a smooth one. “College sports at any level is no joke, but wrestling in particular is a very demanding lifestyle,” he said. “It requires a big commitment if you want to succeed, and Division I even more so. When the vast majority of your peers are kicking back and enjoying college life, you’re in an exceptionally structured environment. I think with his background, his lifestyle, it will not be a stretch for him at all. I think he will excel.”
Carroll, who recently received the Roy Heverly Award as the top underclassman scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina has excelled since he stepped on a mat at the high school varsity level. He’s won three conference championships, and ironically enough, beating West wrestlers each time to accomplish that feat. He got past Bryce Lien in a 15-13 sudden victory match as a freshman, before defeating Clayton Wilson in each of the past two seasons, first by pin and then by technical fall. … rest of story at https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/sports/article_02845e50-99df-11eb-8cbf-5f29817b4438.html
NORTH CAROLINA & SOUTH CAROLINA USA WRESTLING PARTNER TO HOST JOINT STATE EVENTS IN CHARLOTTE, N.C., MAY 1-2
By North Carolina & South Carolina USA Wrestling partner to host joint state events in Charlotte, N.C., May 1-2 | April 07, 2021, 5:37 p.m. (ET)
The USA Wrestling state associations from North and South Carolina are coming together this spring to bring wrestling back to the Carolinas. Through the adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two associations have found a path to restart wrestling by working together.
Both states are offering local freestyle, Greco-Roman, and folkstyle events in April, and they will come together May 1-2 to host a first-of-its-kind championship event in Charlotte, NC.
Day one of the event (May 1) will be both state’s Freestyle and Greco-Roman State Championships. Age group participants from both states will compete separately, while U23 and Senior/Masters divisions will have one combined division.
Day two of the event (May 2) will be the Carolinas Open Championship, This folkstyle event is open to wrestlers of all ages from anywhere in the United State. It will serve as North Carolina’s folkstyle state championships, so the highest finishing North Carolina wrestler in each age/weight division will be recognized as the state champion.
There will be men’s and women’s divisions for all ages, as well as Triple Crown awards for wrestlers who win all three styles.
For event information or to register visit North Carolina USA Wrestling website.
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
