Mendez-Led Buckeyes Thinking Big After Fast Start
Thanks in part to the influence of two-time NCAA champ Jesse Mendez, the Ohio State Buckeyes are chasing big goals.
It might be natural to assume the 2025-26 campaign has Ohio State coach Tom Ryan flying high.
His Buckeyes are undefeated (8-0), his lightweights are performing at podium-in-March levels and there’s plenty of chatter in the wrestling world about how good this group of the scarlet and gray-clad grapplers can be. It’s not an overly bold notion to predict that two undefeated programs will clash in two months when Penn State hosts Ohio State in February.
Ryan won’t make such predictions. Despite opening eyes at the National Duals Invitational — where the Buckeyes handled Wyoming, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa on their way to the title — Ryan insists on staying in each current moment. “That stuff is for fans, and it’s fun for them,” Ryan said. “But, as cliché as it sounds, we’re focused on the now, trusting our process, staying inside our system. Nothing’s changed.” Ryan spoke of his team’s need to be ready for Sunday’s showdown with Iowa State, calling the retooled, transfer-laden Cyclones “tough” and saying they “pulled in some really good kids this year.”
There’s a lot of season left and many big challenges are still ahead of the Buckeyes, which Ryan is well aware. Looking down the road, though, does he believe this Ohio State team is capable of taking down Penn State for the national title in March? … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14984821-mendez-led-buckeyes-thinking-big-after-fast-start
Davidson ‘Cats Defeat Presbyterian in League Opener; Fall to Frankin & Marshall
CLINTON, S.C. – Highlighted by a 21-9 victory in its Southern Conference Opener, Davidson finished 1-1 Thursday at Presbyterian’s Quad-Dual inside Templeton Gymnasium.
Following their win over the Blue Hose, the Wildcats dropped a 25-13 decision to Franklin & Marshall to move to 3-6 overall.
Against Presbyterian, Davidson won six of the first seven weight classes by decision to all but put the dual out of reach.
Dylan Smith, who finished the day 2-0 in his first dual action of the season, put the final points on the board for the Wildcats with a 10-8 win over Toler Hornick.
Brady Joling (125), Anderson Heap (149) and Marc Koch (174) also finished the day with a pair of wins. Davidson 21, Presbyterian 9
Clinton, S.C. | Templeton Gymnasium 125 – Brady Joling (DAV) over Brayden Adams (PC) by Decision, 3-0
133 – Luke Passarelli (DAV) over Fernando Dominguez (PC) by Decision, 15-10
141 – Ryan Luna (PC) over Marley Washington (DAV) by Decision, 2-0 … more at … https://davidsonwildcats.com/news/2025/12/18/wrestling-cats-defeat-presbyterian-in-league-opener-fall-to-frankin-marshall
USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender Receives 2025 George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award
Dec 17, 2025, 2:21 PM EST
by Richard Immel, USA Wrestling
Rich Bender receives 2025 George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award, pictured alongside Susanne Lyons, Haley Steinbrenner Swindal and William J. Hybl.
USA Wrestling is proud to recognize Rich Bender, its Executive Director of nearly 25 years, as the recipient of the prestigious George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award, which is presented by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Endowment as one-of-four annual awards given out by the organization.
The George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award honors individuals who have made sustained and meaningful contributions to sports within the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Recipients of this award demonstrate exceptional communication and leadership skills that personify excellence, advancing sport at both the national and international levels.
Bender is the longest-serving executive director in USA Wrestling history, taking over the position in 2001. Under his leadership, USA Wrestling has earned 33 Olympic medals and well over 100 World Championship medals, and reached historic milestones, including the first U.S. women’s Olympic wrestling champion. He also oversaw record membership growth, strengthened financial stability, and advanced international governance and rule development.
Joining Bender as USOPE awards recipients for 2025 were … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/december/17/usa-wrestling-executive-director-rich-bender-receives-2025-george-m-steinbrenner-iii-sport-leadership-award
Davis Takes Home Second SoCon Wrestler of The Week Award
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Per release from the league office and after a 2-0 individual weekend, redshirt sophomore T.K. Davis of the Gardner-Webb wrestling team has been named SoCon Wreslter of The Week once again.
The Rockmart, Ga. native continued an excellent season for GWU at the Buffalo Tri-Meet to take his second Wrestler of the Week award of the season. Davis won each of his matches last week, both 19-1 tech falls, beating Buffalo’s Max Elton in 3:28 and was victorious against Kent State’s Nick Molchak in 5:42. Davis is ranked as high as No. 16 nationally in his weight class this week … more at … https://gwusports.com/news/2025/12/17/wrestling-davis-takes-home-another-socon-wrestler-of-the-week-award.aspx
Will Denny Named ACC Wrestler of the Week
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NC State wrestling’s 165 pounder, Will Denny, has been named the ACC Wrestler of the Week, as announced by the conference Tuesday, December 16.
The freshman standout for the Pack added another ranked win under his belt in his first collegiate campaign on Friday after defeating Ohio State’s No. 11 Paddy Gallagher in sudden victory, 6-5.
This marks the second top-15 victory for Denny this season, … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2025/12/17/wrestling-will-denny-named-acc-wrestler-of-the-week
Appalachian State Earns Decisive Victory at Duke
DURHAM, N.C. — App State Wrestling won the first seven matches, highlighted by a top-20 victory from Stephan Monchery, and finished with wins at eight of 10 weights in a 31-8 win at Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Wednesday night.
Monchery gave up the first takedown against No. 19 Connor Barket but won a 6-4 decision, moving ahead 5-3 on a second-period takedown. He finished the period on top and nearly rode out the third period, delivering several powerful mat returns that pleased the large gathering of App State fans.
Eleven months ago, as an inexperienced true freshman, Monchery’s record stood at 11-8 after he was shut out 15-0 in a tech fall loss against Barket. Since that defeat, the reigning SoCon champion has a 20-6 record.
With wrestling starting at 184 pounds on Wednesday, App State (3-4) established a 28-0 lead via victories from Tomas Brooker (18-3 tech fall), Logan Eller (13-8 decision at 197), Monchery, Cooper Foster (17-2 tech fall at 125), Jarvis Little (third-period pin at 133), Aldo Hernandez (2-0 decision at 141) and Brayden Fahrbach (10-4 decision at 149).
A last-second takedown produced a 4-1 decision for Duke (5-4) at 157 pounds, but App State’s Anthony Conetta followed that by building a 6-1 lead in an 8-5 decision at 165. Duke’s other top-25 wrestler, No. 23 Aidan Wallace, … more at … https://appstatesports.com/news/2025/12/17/wrestling-earns-decisive-victory-at-duke.aspx
DI Live Streaming Guide (12/17 – 12/22/2025)
So, we’re heading into the final stretch of duals before the Christmas holiday. There are plenty of duals to choose from over the next six days. A total of 68 duals will be contested. Since it can be difficult to figure out where and when to watch all of these events, InterMat has put together a list of all of the live-streamed events occurring this week. Below are the dates/times and how to watch each match (with links).
Please note, there are quite a few tri’s, quads, and multi-team dual events. ESPN has links for the home team in those instances, but not for the duals where they do not compete. I’ve still included the links involving the home team, in case those matches are streamed, as well.
All Times Eastern
Wednesday, December 17:
Appalachian State at Duke 6:00 PM ACC Network Extra
Thursday, December 18:
Air Force vs. Franklin & Marshall at Presbyterian 9:00 AM
Davidson at Presbyterian 9:00 AM
Air Force at Presbyterian 11:00 AM
Davidson vs. Franklin & Marshall at Presbyterian 11:00 AM
Franklin & Marshall at Presbyterian 1:00 PM
Truett McConnell at The Citadel 2:00 PM ESPN+
Lock Haven at Wisconsin 6:00 PM B1G+
American at Michigan State 7:00 PM B1G+
Utah Valley at Wisconsin 8:00 PM B1G+
Friday, December 19:
LIU at Binghamton 6:00 PM ESPN+
Chattanooga at Kent State 6:00 PM
Gannon at Edinboro 7:00 PM
Lock Haven at Northwestern 7:00 PM B1G+
North Carolina at Nebraska 8:00 PM B1G+ … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/47_streaming-guide/di-live-streaming-guide-1217-12222025-r100704/
No. 2 Ohio State Wins Top 10 Battle over No. 9 Wolfpack, 26-10
Buckeyes Next Travel to Nashville Dec. 21 for Collegiate Duals
COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 2 Ohio State (8-0) remained undefeated with a 26-10 win over visiting No. 9 NC State (5-3) Friday at the Covelli Center.
How it Happened
125 – (1) Vincent Robinson (NCST) def. Brendan McCrone (OSU), MD, 12-3
Robinson opened the scoring with a takedown followed by a McCrone escape to send the bout to the second with NC State up 3-1. McCrone chose top to open the second after Robinson deferred choice. Robinson got the reversal to lead 5-2 after a McCrone escape. Robinson added a takedown to lead 8-2 after five minutes. Starting neutral, Robinson made it 11-2 with a takedown. McCrone escaped but with a point for riding time, Robinson won by major decision, 12-3.
133 – (2) Ben Davino (OSU) def. Zach Redding (NCST), D, 7-1
After two minutes, Davino scored the opening takedown for a 3-0 lead to go to the second. Davino chose bottom to start the second and quickly escaped for a 4-0 lead. Davino added a late takedown to lead 7-0 after two periods. Redding escaped to start the third to make it 7-1 Buckeyes. That’s the way if ended for a Davino win by decision, 7-1.
141 – (1) Jesse Mendez (OSU) def. (6) Ryan Jack (NCST), TF, 21-6
Mendez went on top 3-1 with a takedown and Jack escape. Mendez added another takedown on the edge of the mat to finish the period up 6-1. Mendez added three takedowns quickly to jump to a 15-4 advantage. Another pair of takedowns ended the match for a Mendez win by technical fall, 21-6.
149 – (6) Ethan Stiles (OSU) def. (7) Koy Buesgens (NCST), D, 4-3
There was no scoring in the opening the period. Stiles chose bottom to open the second and took the 1-0 lead with an escape for the only points of the middle period. Buesgens evened the bout at 1-all with an escape to … more at … https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2025/12/12/wrestling-no-2-ohio-state-wins-top-10-battle-over-no-9-wolfpack-26-10
NC State Announces 2026 Induction Class for NC State Athletic Hall of Fame
Individuals from seven different sports, a team that won back-to-back national titles, a pioneer for women’s athletics, and a legendary coach comprise the 2026 induction class of the NC State Athletic Hall of Fame, McMurray Family Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan announced today.
The 10-member class is the eighth overall since the establishment of the Hall of Fame in 2012 and will be inducted at a gala in Reynolds Coliseum on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The 1979 and 1980 NC State cross country teams that repeated as AIAW national champions will be inducted, alongside 1973 ACC Football Player of the Year Willie Burden, Olympic gold medalist Kenny Carr from men’s basketball, and 19-time All-American swimmer Beth Emery. Joining them will be National Champions Matt Hill (men’s golf), Tyrell Taitt (men’s track & field) and Scott Turner (wrestling), along with a national award winner, Marc Primanti (football).
Longtime NC State and ACC administrator Nora Lynn Finch will be honored for her contributions, alongside legendary wrestling coach Bob Guzzo, who led the Wolfpack to 13 ACC titles. “I’m very excited about this induction class because it represents many sports, many decades, and so very many accomplishments,” Corrigan said. “We look forward to recognizing their legacy and their achievements in April and congratulate them on this great honor.”
Ticket sales information for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be shared at a later date.
NC STATE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Class of 2026
Scott Turner, Wrestling (1984-1988)
During his highly successful Wolfpack career, Scott Turner helped lay the foundation for the success that NC State Wrestling still enjoys today. The third national champion in program history, Turner allowed only one point scored on him in the NCAA Tournament, cementing him as the 1988 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler, an award that only one other from NC State has claimed. At the conference level, he won the individual ACC Championship crown three times, as well as the 1984 ACC Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler award as a freshman. He is just one of 13 in program history to earn an individual ACC Championship at least three times. At the national level, Turner was a two-time All-American, earning the honors in 1986 and 1988.
Bob Guzzo, Special Contributor/Wrestling (1974-2004)
A pillar of the NC State wrestling program, Bob Guzzo was named the eighth head coach in program history in 1974 and led the team for the next 30 seasons. A six-time ACC Coach of the Year (’88, ’89, ’91, ’96, ’01, ’02), he led NC State to 13 league titles, a mark that still ranks second for a head coach in ACC history. Four of his athletes were national champions in three different weight classes and those under his direction earned 24 All-America honors. In his three decades at NC State, he amassed an impressive team record of 356-183-7 with a 117-53 mark in ACC competition, mentoring 86 individual ACC Champions and his athletes won ACC Wrestler of the Year honors three times. … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2025/12/15/football-nc-state-announces-2026-induction-class-for-nc-state-athletic-hall-of-fame
Men’s wrestling Shupert, Gabbard sweep ODAC Wrestlers of the Week awards
FOREST, Va. – Averett men’s wrestling collected both lighter and heavier wrestler of the week honors, as junior Carter Shupert and senior Michael Gabbard were named to said lists, respectively.
Shupert, a 141-pounder from Virginia Beach, Virginia, went 4-0 at the Cougar Duals while being ranked No. 7 in the region per the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Three of Shupert’s victories over the weekend were by fall.
Gabbard, a 174-pounder from Norwood, North Carolina, also went 4-0 at the Cougar Duals while being ranked No. 7 regionally by NWCA, and was victorious by fall in three of his four matches. Averett men’s wrestling honors jump to three in 2025-26, … more at … https://averettcougars.com/news/2025/12/15/mens-wrestling-mens-wrestling-shupert-gabbard-sweep-odac-wrestlers-of-the-week-awards.aspx
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
Takedown Report 