Takedown Report

Most seasons – Top 100 teams

TDR Editor’s Notes : The chart below is what we have for the teams listed by the number of years they have competed. The number of years is listed in the 4th column. There are 21 schools with at least 100 seasons of competition. Ohio State and Nebraska were the latest to wrestle their 100th year in the 2019-2020 season.
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October 24, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

College Coaching News – # 5

1 } Celso “Tony” DeAnda Named NMU Women’s Wrestling Head Coach
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University has selected Celso “Tony” DeAnda to be the first women’s wrestling coach in program history. 
“Members of the search committee and others involved in the search process were impressed with Tony’s detailed plan for building NMU women’s wrestling into a nationally competitive program,” said Director of Athletics Forrest Karr. “Tony has contributed significantly to the growth of the sport and his considerable experience will benefit NMU student-athletes going forward.”
DeAnda comes to NMU after starting the women’s wrestling program at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, where he coached five Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association All-Americans including two National Champions. In 2020, his team finished fourth at the WCWA Nationals. During his time with the Blue Hose, a total of 15 athletes earned conference Academic Honor Roll while two went on to qualify for the Olympic Team Trials.
“I would first like to thank Forrest Karr, Bridget Kyle, and the search committee for this amazing opportunity,” DeAnda said. “I am thrilled and honored to return to Marquette, to be the new head coach of women’s wrestling. NMU has a rich history of wrestling and I am excited to begin a new chapter with what promises to be a successful program. I have many fond memories of the people and student-athletes at Northern Michigan since this is where my coaching career began. My family and I are looking forward to becoming a part of the Wildcat family.”
Prior to Presbyterian, he served as the Head Coach of Women’s Wrestling for the University of Providence from 2017-2018. Under his guidance, he coached one WCWA All-American to a runner-up finish while two placed at the 2017 UWW Under 23 Championships. His team finished 15^th in the 2018 WCWA Nationals.
DeAnda started his collegiate coaching at the University of Jamestown where he was the Head Coach of Women’s Wrestling. … rest of the story at _{https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Celso-Tony-DeAnda-Named-NMU-Women-s-18-10-2020}

2 } Albion College names Adam Wilson Head Men’s and Women’s Coach
ALBION — On Thursday, Albion College Director of Athletics Matt Arend announced the hiring of Adam Wilson as the head men’s and women’s wrestling coach. Wilson will bring back men’s wrestling after its disbandment from the college in the 1970s while establishing the new women’s program.
A western Michigan native, Wilson comes to Albion after spending the last four seasons as the head assistant men’s wrestling coach at Olivet College. During his time with the Comets, he was heavily involved in recruiting and building a competitive program in the MIAA. Wilson was also responsible for fundraising, managing social media, alumni engagement and competition day items.
“I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to lead the men’s and women’s wrestling programs at Albion College,” said Wilson. “In addition to the excellent academic opportunities, graduate outcomes and tradition within the athletic department, Matt Arend shared a vision of building a championship program. I am thankful to have this opportunity and I am excited to get to work and have my family join the Albion community.”
Wilson also had one-year stints on the coaching staffs at Trine and Washington and Lee, where he oversaw recruiting and training programs for his student-athletes.
Wilson, a 2011 Olivet graduate, started his career as an admissions representative at his alma mater. For three years, he learned recruiting strategies while building connections with high schools in the surrounding areas. He obtained his Masters of Higher Education Administration from Upper Iowa University in 2014. … rest of the story at _{https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Albion-College-names-Adam-Wilson-Head-15-10-2020}

3 } – College wrestling: Iowa assistant Morningstar recovering from stroke
IOWA CITY– University of Iowa assistant wrestling coach and former Hawkeye all-American Ryan Morningstar suffered a medical emergency on Aug. 17. Morningstar was admitted and treated for a stroke at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and later released on Aug. 21.
“I feel great and am thankful for the exceptional care provided by the doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals at UIHC,” Morningstar said in a statement. “I am humbled by the prayer and support I received from my family and friends, and appreciative of the privacy I was afforded throughout my recovery. It is good to be back in the wrestling room doing what I love with the best people in the world.” Morningstar has been an assistant coach on Iowa’s staff since 2012. He was an All-American on Iowa’s 2009 and 2010 NCAA championship teams, where he took third and seventh, respectively. Morningstar won 110 career matches at Iowa. … rest of story at _{https://wcfcourier.com/sports/college/iowa/college-wrestling-iowa-assistant-morningstar-recovering-from-stroke/article_4d40e85f-12f8-5071-b403-b4947f414ac3.html?mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – Simpson welcomes Jeff McGinness to wrestling coaching staff
INDIANOLA, Iowa — Jeff McGinness, a two-time national champion at the University of Iowa, joins Simpson wrestling head coach Dylan Peters’ staff as an assistant ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. “It’s very exciting to have Jeff McGinness join our program,” said head coach Dylan Peters. “I am confident he will be an invaluable asset for the team. During his career at the University of Iowa, he experienced the pinnacle of collegiate wrestling.” The 2018 University of Iowa Hall of Fame inductee amassed a record of 127-16 while competing for the Hawkeyes. From 1994-96, he won 43 consecutive matches, which still stands as 10th-most in program history. As a two-time team captain, McGinness was a member of three national champion squads, two of which were coached by Dan Gable. He also received the Mike Howard Award twice, which is handed out annually to the program’s most valuable wrestler. “I am excited to join coach Dylan Peters … rest of story at _{https://www.thepredicament.com/2020/09/simpson-welcomes-jeff-mcginness-to-wrestling-coaching-staff/?mc_cid=e10bcd29f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – New NJC wrestling coach Arsenia Barksdale ready to lead Plainsmen
First time head coach glad to be back in Colorado
There’s a new wrestling coach in town for the Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen. He’s new to Sterling, but familiar to Colorado. He hasn’t won with the Plainsmen yet, but he brings winning with him wherever he goes. His name is Arsenia Barksdale, and he’s glad to be the newest leader of the wrestling program at NJC.
Barksdale was announced as the new wrestling coach at NJC on July 27th, following the departure of Adam Fiero. This is the first head coaching job for Barksdale. He decided to pursue the opportunity to prove that he was worthy of being the man in charge. “I’ve always wanted to get on the head coaching scene,” he said. “I’ve been an assistant coach for the last ten years so I felt this would be a good opportunity for me to show off my skills. When I found out this job was opening up I had a couple of other coaches reach out to me and say they thought this would be a good fit for me so I took advantage of the situation.”
Barksdale comes to Sterling following a four year stint as an assistant coach at Northwest Kansas, where he helped coach 11 All-Americans and 3 national champions. Northwest Kansas won a national duals team title in 2019 with Barksdale as an assistant, a first in school history.
Prior to Kansas, Barksdale was an assistant at Adams State University, … rest of story at _{https://www.journal-advocate.com/2020/09/21/new-njc-wrestling-coach-arsenia-barksdale-ready-to-lead-plainsmen/?mc_cid=e10bcd29f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – Zacherl Joins Clarion Wrestling Coaching Staff
CLARION, Pa. – Clarion wrestling coach Keith Ferraro announced today that Brock Zacherl, a six-year member of the Golden Eagle wrestling program and a 2020 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-American, will join the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach. Zacherl will work alongside second-year assistant coach Nathan Kraisser and fellow volunteer coach Nick DeLoia.
  “Brock was a transformative leader during his six seasons at Clarion, and I have no doubt he will continue to have an immense impact in this coaching role,” Ferraro said. “I have believed for quite a while that Brock’s talent and skill set would make him an incredible wrestling coach.”
Zacherl finished his Golden Eagle career as one of the most decorated wrestlers in Ferraro’s six years as head coach, earning four trips to the NCAA Division I Championships and compiling an all-time record of 114-17 in the Blue and Gold, including a 59-2 mark in dual matches. Perhaps the most impressive number attached to Zacherl’s career is his undefeated record in home matches, as he compiled a 44-0 record in varsity matches as a Golden Eagle. Zacherl finished his career ranked … rest of story at _{https://clariongoldeneagles.com/news/2020/9/22/zacherl-joins-wrestling-coaching-staff.aspx?mc_cid=9754f989b3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – Luke Smith eager to take the reins with CSUB wrestling
It wasn’t long ago that some devastating news had Luke Smith pondering a career change. Smith seemed to be in a good place at the end of the 2018 wrestling season. Having just completed his seventh year as an assistant at Eastern Michigan University, he held a prominent role on an Eagle team that had put together arguably the best season in program history. Long a doormat in the Mid-American Conference, the Eagles nabbed a program-best third-place finish at that year’s MAC Tournament. They also had their first conference champion since 2009, their first All-American since 1999, and were primed to be even better with five national tournament qualifiers set to return the following season. But all that momentum was halted just weeks … rest of story at _{https://www.bakersfield.com/sports/college/luke-smith-eager-to-take-the-reigns-with-csub-wrestling/article_e6d22188-ff56-11ea-a9f9-f790dc0562d6.html?mc_cid=29285b55e6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – Rivera Steps Down, Smith Assumes Interim Role
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The CSU Bakersfield Athletics Department has announced that Manny Rivera, Head Coach of the Roadrunner Wrestling team, will step down to pursue opportunities outside of coaching. Current assistant coach Luke Smith will take over as interim head coach, immediately, and Rivera will stay on through the end of October. “We are very thankful to Coach Rivera for his four years of service to the `Runner wrestling program,” said Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried, CSUB’s Director of Athletics. “We wish Manny and Katie great success and happiness in their future endeavors.” Rivera mentored four Pac-12 Conference champions an 15 NCAA Qualifiers during his tenure on campus, while winning 25 dual meets and leading the `Runners to three third-place finishes at the conference meet in four seasons.  “I am extremely excited about the future of the CSUB wrestling program,” Siegfried said. “Additionally, I have full confidence in the leadership of our Interim Head Coach, Luke Smith.”
Smith enters his third year on the coaching staff of the Bakersfield… rest of story at _{https://gorunners.com/news/2020/9/24/rivera-steps-down-as-csub-wrestling-coach.aspx?mc_cid=29285b55e6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

9} – Tech Wrestling head coach Tony Robie rewarded with contract extension
Three-year extension will keep Robie in Blacksburg through at least 2025
BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock announced Friday that head wrestling coach Tony Robie has agreed to a three-year contract extension which will keep him in Blacksburg through the 2025 season.  
“We are fortunate to have Tony Robie and his talented staff leading our wrestling program at Virginia Tech,” Babcock said. “We were very pleased to keep Coach Robie in Blacksburg and we are very optimistic about the continued trajectory of Virginia Tech wrestling under his leadership.”
 Since taking over the reins of Hokies wrestling in February of 2017, Robie is responsible for two ACC tournament titles, an ACC dual meet title, the program’s first national champion, 13 All-Americans and 14 ACC Champions. Robie is 34-11 in dual meets and has won the ACC Coach of the Year twice in that span. Under Robie’s guidance, Mekhi Lewis won Tech’s first individual title in the 165-pound bracket as a redshirt freshman at the 2019 NCAA Championships.
 “Speaking on behalf of my entire family, I want to sincerely thank Whit Babcock, Chris Helms and Virginia Tech for once again extending my contract,” Robie said. “Knowing that we will continue to call Christiansburg/Blacksburg home for the foreseeable future brings us great peace of mind, especially in these uncertain times. Being a part of this program and this community for the past 14 years has truly been an amazing experience. I love what we have going on and am very optimistic about the future.” … rest of story at _{https://hokiesports.com/news/2020/9/25/tech-wrestling-head-coach-tony-robie-rewarded-with-contract-extension.aspx?mc_cid=29285b55e6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – Ryan Hunsberger Joins VMI Wrestling staff
LEXINGTON, Va. – Ryan Hunsberger has joined the VMI wrestling staff for the 2020-21 season as an assistant coach, head coach Jim Gibson announced recently. Hunsberger was the founder and head coach of the Viking Wrestling Club in Woodbridge, Va. The club helps build upon mental awareness, student-athlete development, and character building on and off the mat. Hunsberger ran practices, clinics, camps, National Team events, recruiting, revenue tracking and fundraisers. He coached, mentored, and recruited seven high-school All-Americans, 15 state champions, seven state finalists and over 30 college wrestlers. He independently trained 11 Division I wrestlers and two Division I NCAA Qualifiers.
“While I was looking to add to our staff, and talking amongst the wrestling community, Ryan’s name kept being brought up,” said head coach Jim Gibson. “He came to me with great recommendation from several people of high respect in our sport. His ties with in the Virginia wrestling community and USA Wrestling will be of great value to our program.  Ryan is motivated and excited to help VMI Wrestling. I’m looking forward to watching him continue to grow as a coach.” Hunsberger has been the head assistant coach at Woodbridge High School for the past four seasons … rest of story at _{https://vmikeydets.com/news/2020/9/25/ryan-hunsberger-joins-vmi-wrestling-staff.aspx?mc_cid=29285b55e6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

October 21, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

NWCA 2021 Multi-Division National Duals Cancelled

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Understandable yet sadden by the cancellation. Even in the best of conditions many teams would not be in the middle of their season. Hopefully other events can go forward and/or make adjustments. Good to see they have announced plans for next season. We hope to attend this event in 2022.
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Manheim, PA –  On Wednesday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced the cancellation of the upcoming 2021 Multi-Division National Dual Championships presented by ARMS Software, Defense Soap, and the United States Marine Corps. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prompted the event’s cancellation to occur at the Kentucky Expo Center (Louisville, KY) on January 8-9.  

“On behalf of the NWCA Board of Directors, we have to, unfortunately, announce the suspension of the 2021 Multi-Division National Dual Championships,” said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. “We based this decision for our 90-team event on several factors, including our student-wrestlers’ health and safety and the ongoing uncertainty of the upcoming wrestling season (travel restrictions, COVID-19 protocol, competition start dates, etc.). We look forward to next year’s event and wish everyone a safe and successful 2020-21 season.”

The 2022 NWCA Multi-Division National Dual Championships hosted by NUWAY will occur January 7-8, 2022, at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, KY.  … rest of story at _{https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/NWCA-2020-Multi-Division-National-Duals-21-10-2020}

October 21, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

QUOTING THE COACHES: UNC WRESTLING BACK ON THE MAT

As wrestling season begins across the country, the atmosphere in the wrestling room in Chapel Hill has a unique feel. Admittedly, it will be a bit different walking into practice as the year begins – with masks being commonplace and new safety measures in effect. But when head coach Coleman Scott begins his pre-practice talk with the team, a familiar feeling is expected to return: normalcy.
 
Below, hear from the UNC Wrestling staff as the team begins its 2020-21 season, one that follows a historic campaign for the Tar Heels.
 
Coleman Scott
 
“We’re ready to go and to hit the ground running this year. It’s a new year and a fresh start. Everyone is in the same position, and I feel confident that our guys did enough over summer and preseason to come into this year with a chance to do some special things. I believe in every single person in our room. We’ve built a culture where everyone relies on each other, whether you’re a wrestler, coach, or our support staff. We’re all here to improve each and every day, and to win.”
 
Tony Ramos
 
“This is an exciting time for all of us. Our entire team has been craving to get back onto the mat and have some consistency and normalcy to their everyday lives. Wrestling helps us be able to do that. This marks the start of our 2020-21 season, which is always exciting. We have some very talented and very motivated individuals in our room, and I’m looking forward to having our fans see what Carolina Wrestling is going to look like this year.”
 
Jamill Kelly
 
“With all of the chaos that this past year brought upon all of us, it just feels really good to get back to some kind of normalcy. As a new addition to the UNC staff, I’m looking forward … rest of the story at _{https://goheels.com/news/2020/10/19/quoting-the-coaches-unc-wrestling-back-on-the-mat.aspx?mc_cid=c883bf378a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

October 21, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Team USA Will Not Send A Team To The Senior World Championships

PRESS RELEASE FROM USA WRESTLING – USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, will not send a team to compete at the 2020 Senior World Wrestling Championships, set for Belgrade, Serbia, Dec. 12-20.

USA Wrestling’s Executive Committee, which acts on behalf of the Board of Directors between Board meetings, in an October 20 meeting, unanimously approved a proposal not to participate in the Senior World Championships due to health and safety issues caused by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

“The health and safety of U.S. athletes, coaches and staff is always the No. 1 concern for USA Wrestling. After reviewing updated medical, scientific and government data, and providing an opportunity for athlete and stakeholder input, the Executive Committee concluded that it would not be in the best interest of all involved to organize a delegation to travel to and participate in the Senior World Championships in Serbia,” said Bruce Baumgartner, USA Wrestling President.

On Monday, October 12, United World Wrestling (UWW), the international federation for wrestling, announced that its Executive Committee voted to approve existing plans to host the event. In the same announcement, UWW cancelled the 2020 Junior World Championships, which had been set for early December in Belgrade. The Senior World Championships is the only World Championships event left on the 2020 UWW calendar, after having cancelled all other World events at the age-group levels.

In a letter to all national wrestling federations including USA Wrestling, UWW explained that international federations would be able to enter athletes in the World Championships only through November 5. According to the UWW letter, on the 6th of November, the UWW Executive Committee “would meet to check the registrations and discuss the current situation of the pandemic around the World. During this meeting, it will be decided to keep the event or cancel it.”

USA Wrestling held a series of meetings with stakeholders and subject experts to fully discuss the issue of sending a U.S. team to the Senior Worlds and allow for input. Included were two meetings of the Executive Committee, as well as a USA Wrestling’s Athlete Advisory Committee meeting. In addition, a survey was sent to 117 Senior athletes, including current National Team athletes and athletes who placed in the top eight at the 2020 Senior Nationals. The athlete survey collected data … rest of the story at _{https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6801396-team-usa-will-not-send-a-team-to-the-senior-world-championships}

October 21, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

National Wrestling News – Oct. # 3

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The following is an interesting assortment of articles about how wrestling can impact wrestlers as soldiers, as life savers and as teachers to the youth that follows. The wrestlers below are ones we can see as inspiration for us as we meet our own challenges.
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1 } – Colonel Steve Banach: ‘Nobody had done what we did in the history of warfare’
Colonel Steve Banach, a former wrestler at the University of Iowa who was part of the first invasion into Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, describes the horrors of warfare and how sports is nothing to compared to what happens on a battlefield. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1600311809524&twSessionId=lkjoxxqlsi&videoId=866979135&mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – Is blended male and female wrestling the future of the sport?
Is the future of scholastic wrestling almost too obvious? 
Not if you ask Ken Bigley of the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) in New York City. He hopes the rest of the country will use their blended wrestling model to enhance the entire sport. 
Bigley, a former wrestler and current assistant coach at New York University, serves as the sports coordinator for the PSAL. New York City has two seasons — a girls’ freestyle season in the spring and a boys’ folkstyle season in the winter. 
The PSAL introduced a new league called blended wrestling five years ago. It’s attractive for smaller schools that have trouble filling weight classes. The basic concept is each team has an equal amount of boys and girls weight classes.  New York City’s model has 16 weight classes — eight for boys and eight for girls.
Boys wrestle boys and girls wrestle girls — but they’re scoring points for the same team. If you want to win a New York City championship and your school participates in the blended wrestling league then a coach will have to recruit both males and females. 
Blended wrestling has the opportunity to be a game-changer for growing women’s wrestling. It has already changed the game in New York City for growing participation among girls in the winter. It is also an opening for wrestling to distance itself from other sports. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1600311809524&twSessionId=lkjoxxqlsi&postId=866495135&mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

3 } – Steveson Dominates in the Big Apple
Earns 11-0 technical fall against Wisconsin counterpart Trent Hillger in Beat the Streets NYC
Competing for the first time since winning the 2020 Big Ten title last March, Golden Gopher heavyweight Gable Steveson defeated Wisconsin’s Trent Hillger by technical fall at the 2020 Beat the Streets virtual event on Thursday night. Wrestling outdoors in New York City, Steveson raced out to a 4-0 lead with a pair of takedowns in the first minute en route to an 11-0 technical fall in the first period. In the matchup of 2020 first-team All-Americans, Steveson improved to 4-0 all-time against his Badger counterpart. … rest of story at _{https://gophersports.com/news/2020/9/17/wrestling-steveson-dominates-in-the-big-apple.aspx?mc_cid=c6a292a4f2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – Gresh Jones wins 2020 Montana AAU Little Sullivan Award
Dickinson, ND- Dickinson State all-American wrestler Gresh Jones has been named the winner of the male 2020 Montana AAU Little Sullivan Award. The Little Sullivan Award was created by the late David and Ella Rivenes of Miles City. David Rivenes served as the national AAU President and held numerous positions within the Montana AAU and Miles City sports communities. The Rivenes created the Little Sullivan Award to honor outstanding male and female athletes in the Treasure State that display qualities of athletic excellence, leadership, character, sportsmanship and ideals of amateurism, according to the Montana Amateur Athletic Union.
Gresh Jones was a four-time national qualifier for the Blue Hawk wrestling team.  During his time as a Blue Hawk he was a two-time NAIA All-American placing third and fourth at the NAIA wrestling national tournament.  Jones was a regional champion for the Heart of America conference and a three-time runner up.  As a Blue Hawk, Jones compiled a college career record of 77-19.  Prior to college, Gresh Jones wrestled for one of the best programs in the state of Montana, Sidney High School. … rest of story at _{http://www.dsubluehawks.com/article/596?mc_cid=1ea990827d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – Former, current Penn State wrestlers shine in Nittany Lion Wrestling Club event
As some sports continue to return to action during the COVID-19 pandemic, so did wrestling on Saturday night when the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club held its inaugural competition event. Penn State coach Cael Sanderson was the hype man for the event, taking to Twitter numerous times over the past couple of weeks to promote the event.
Let’s just say, Sanderson’s hype didn’t disappoint.
There were a total of 13 freestyle matches, which highlighted some of the nation’s top men’s and women’s wrestlers. Of the 26 competing wrestlers, seven had some sort of connection to the Nittany Lions’ program.
Current Penn State wrestler Greg Kerkvliet along with former Nittany Lions in Zain Retherford, Jason Nolf, Vincenzo Joseph, Bo Nickal, Nick Nevills and Dan Vallimont took part in the event. Joseph and Vallimont squared off in an all-Penn State match midway through the event. … rest of story at _{https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-wrestling/article245867985.html?mc_cid=f6e465b58d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – The Grappler Fall Classic entry list is loaded with state champs
The annual Grappler Fall Classic is moving to a new location for 2020 and the change of scenery isn’t the only difference this year. The field is deeper than ever with nearly 250 state placewinners and 79 state champions already signed up to compete Oct. 3-4 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  The entry list includes Fargo champs Stoney Buell, R.J. Weston and Noah Pettigrew, Fargo finalists Caden Horwath and Manny Rojas, top sophomore Gabe Arnold, California hammer Joey Cruz and five-time Fargo All-American Caden McCrary.  Here’s a look at some of the notable wrestlers already on the entry list: … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1600399634961&twSessionId=mgzwzualew&postId=867077135&mc_cid=c6a292a4f2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – If prep football can have fewer athletes in a lineup, why not wrestling?
Note: The following column appeared in the September 2020 issue of WIN Magazine. Click here to subscribe to WIN, which will publish its annual College/High School issue on Oct. 2.
By Rob Sherrill
Call it, “The Great Weight Class Debate, Part 2.”
I’ve written frequently about the problems created by the weight classes instituted by the National Federation of State High School Associations in 2011. It’s become clear that putting weights where the wrestlers aren’t has, at a minimum, increased forfeits. Pennsylvania and New York have answered my call. They’ve adopted 13-man weight class set-ups for the upcoming season, and we’ll be writing about those in detail in future issues.
Although this column is also about weight classes, it’s a different side of the argument. What the weight classes actually are is vitally important, but so is how many of them there are. Even after a set of weight classes that accurately reflects the wrestling population has been developed, another question remains: are there simply too many for too many schools to fill?
No line-up in any sport the NFHS sponsors is more difficult to fill than in wrestling. This is not open to debate. … rest of story at _{https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/09/22/if-football-can-have-fewer-athletes-in-a-lineup-why-not-wrestling/?mc_cid=e10bcd29f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=if-football-can-have-fewer-athletes-in-a-lineup-why-not-wrestling}

8 } – Borrelli: This may be a good time to fix college athletics’ ‘broken’ model 
Note: The following column appeared in the September issue of WIN Magazine. Click here to subscribe to WIN, which will publish its annual College and High School Preview issue on Oct. 2.
By Mike Finn
Tom Borrelli will hopefully start his 30th year of coaching this winter at Central Michigan University; a longevity period matched only by John Smith, who also started coaching in 1991 at Oklahoma State, the school with the most national titles in Division I wrestling.
Borrelli, who produced 41 All-Americans and won 14 conference championships, also had his chance to take over bigger schools, but chose to stay in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., population 25,000+, and the home of the Chippewas who compete in the Mid-American Conference.
“I enjoy the quality of life here and I like being the underdog a little bit; having to do more with less,” said Borrelli, who will turn 64 years old this December. Sadly, the entire college athletic world feels like an underdog now as it deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, which cancelled last winter and spring’s national college sports championships, put this year on hold in many states and has many wondering if sports like wrestling will actually survive the virus that also has put college programs in financial holes that may never be filled. “Wrestling has always survived other bad times in the long time that I’ve been in it,” said Borrelli, who also serves as a mentor in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Leadership Academy. “I tell people you control what you can control,” he said. “Put your program in the best light with your university as far as fund-raising, … rest of story at _{https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/09/23/borrelli-this-may-be-a-good-time-to-fix-college-athletics-broken-model/?mc_cid=9754f989b3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=borrelli-this-may-be-a-good-time-to-fix-college-athletics-broken-model}

9} – This 10-year-old Wisconsin wrestler is about to reach his goal: 100,000 pushups in a year
MILWAUKEE – Imagine doing 100,000 pushups in a year. That equates to about 274 every day for 365 days. 
Now imagine sticking to that regiment as a 10-year-old. 
That’s what Meyer Schnoor, 10, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, has been working toward since last November, when he was 9. But instead of doing 274 a day, he’s been doing 300.  Meyer, a wrestler, saw a video of one of his favorite wrestlers, Daton Fix, talking about doing 100,000 pushups in a year when he was in third grade. … rest of story at _{https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/09/21/waukesha-wisconsin-wrestler-close-100-000-pushups-year/5851520002/?mc_cid=9754f989b3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – BVU freshman wrestler helps save coworker’s life
Storm Lake, Iowa (Sept. 21, 2020) – Buena Vista University freshman Diego Aguilera will long remember his first day on the job at the Storm Lake Walmart. He helped save a coworker who experienced a heart attack. Aguilera was being trained as an associate in the produce department when he and his coworker took a break around 6:30 p.m. and retired to a back room. That’s when his coworker told Aguilera he didn’t feel well. “He sat down on a box of bananas and began sweating,” Aguilera says. “His skin turned pale, so did his lips. He was out of breath.” The victim tipped his head back and Aguilera began feeling for a pulse, or a heartbeat. “I didn’t feel a heartbeat, so I began doing chest compressions,” says Aguilera, who, as a team captain for the PSJA Memorial High School wrestling team in Pharr, Tex., became certified in CPR. “I did compressions for 30 seconds or so and the heart was beating,” he says. “So, I began talking to him, asking questions about his kids and what he liked to do. I wanted to help keep him conscious by having to answer my questions.” … rest of story at _{https://www.thepredicament.com/2020/09/bvu-freshman-wrestler-helps-save-coworkers-life/?mc_cid=e10bcd29f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

October 18, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wrestling History – # 19

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Included are history of some great matches, losses, U.S. world medalists, wrestling heroes and role models. Wrestling is a great sport and athletic training experience. The competition is exciting and as thrilling as it is for fans to cheer on it is much more important is the learning and growth in the competitors. It can and usually does make a difference in the wrestlers’ lives and thus be a benefit to others.
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1 } – Mark Branch: My Greatest Loss
Mark Branch of Oklahoma State reached the NCAA Championship finals four times, placing first in 1994, second in 1995 and 1996, and first in 1997. Branch entered the 1994 NCAA Championships as a freshman with an 8-9 record and shocked the field by winning the 167-pound bracket. Pat Smith, his Cowboy teammate, made history by becoming the first wrestler to win four NCAA Division I titles in the weight class before Branch, so there was an expectation that Branch would also win four. 
The next two years were disappointments for Branch. He lost to Arizona State’s Markus Mollica, 5-3, in the 1995 NCAA tournament finals then lost by injury default to Iowa’s Daryl Weber — an opponent he had defeated by major decision earlier in the season — when he blew out his knee during the match.
Branch capped his career with an undefeated season in 1997 and a second NCAA title. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1599702431931&twSessionId=jomgsauurn&postId=866421135&mc_cid=d4c11c167e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – History Class – What really happened when Lee Kemp wrestled Dan Gable … video and rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1599793374486&twSessionId=hsvsfpclqf&videoId=866432135&mc_cid=27cd8af936&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

3 } – .Matt Valenti: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Matt Valenti. The two-time NCAA champion, who is now an associate athletic director at Penn, shares his thoughts on his wrestling heroes: Tom and Terry Brands. 
These are Valenti’s thoughts on his wrestling heroes:
“The guys I liked watching the most and was a fan of were the Brands brothers. Whether I can pick one or the other, I don’t know if I can do that, but I just loved watching them wrestle. They were fun.  “I definitely grew up following the Iowa dynasty and that was definitely what I got to watch and learn about. I think those two were the figureheads of that Iowa dynasty.  .. rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1599598006075&twSessionId=olucbqnnku&postId=865126135&mc_cid=99708d813d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – Spencer Lee: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Spencer Lee. The two-time NCAA champion and three-time age-group World champion shares his thoughts on his wrestling heroes: Cary Kolat and Tom and Terry Brands. 
These are Lee’s words on his wrestling heroes: 
“Growing up my hero was probably Cary Kolat just because he was a PA legend and I wanted to win four and go undefeated like him. I didn’t really watch college, but I knew all the Olympic champs from 1972 to the modern day. That was my guilty pleasure. That’s what I loved doing. There were tons of Olympic champs that I loved.
“In America, it was the Brands brothers and Cary Kolat. I always said that those were going to be the guys who were going to coach me in college. One of those three.  “I liked the way they wrestled. I always say, if you watch Tom Brands’ Olympic finals match — there was one second left and he was winning 7-0. The ref blows the whistle and he walks forward at the guy. Just that mindset. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1599493975008&twSessionId=iopndevxwf&postId=864797135&mc_cid=72ed629a09&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – Kyle Ruschell: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Kyle Ruschell. The Chattanooga coach and two-time All-American from Wisconsin shares his thoughts on his wrestling heroes: Barry Davis and Donny Pritzlaff. 
These are Ruschell’s thoughts on his wrestling heroes:
“I didn’t really get around the sport until sixth grade, and after that, I really didn’t know what college wrestling was until my senior year of high school. I can’t go outside of a small box, so for me Barry Davis is my hero because he was my coach. Barry Davis taught me a lot. He really took me under his wing. Just seeing the way he competed and then watching film translated to why he’s telling me what I needed to do.
“Barry taught me the difference between college wrestling and high school wrestling. Coming from Kentucky, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. Nowadays kids can see it, I couldn’t. I remember him specifically the first month being there, I was trying my absolute hardest to get away from him off the bottom. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1599793374486&twSessionId=hsvsfpclqf&postId=866424135&mc_cid=27cd8af936&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – CEO and NCAA Finalist for Michigan Mike Amine
Mike Amine is the  CEO and president of Wealth Strategies Financial Group. He was an NCAA runner-up in 1988 and competed for a spot on the US greco team in 1992.  In this conversation, we cover the influence of Mike’s late father, running a business as a former wrestler, and of course, Mike’s incredible performance at the 1988 NCAA’s. Enjoy
SPONSOR
This episode is brought to you by the Wrestling Changed My Life online store. We have podcast T-Shirts, Hoodies, Crew-necks, Stickers and more.  Go to Store.WrestlingChangedMyLife.com to shop. … rest of story at _{https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/mike/?mc_cid=27cd8af936&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – 10 U.S. World medalists who deserve a closer look
The goal is gold. These American wrestlers didn’t quite get there but they achieved the next best thing: medals at the World Championships and the Olympic Games. Below are 10 wrestlers that deserve a closer look. 
Don Behm (three medals)
1968 Olympics (MFS): silver at 125.5 pounds
1969 Worlds (MFS): silver at 125.5 pounds
1971 Worlds (MFS): silver at 125.5 pounds
Behm won a silver medal at the 1968 Olympics and famously did not wrestle gold medalist Yojiro Uetake from Japan. …
The rivalry between Behm and Rick Sanders is what wrestling aficionados should remember best. Behm and Sanders faced each other 15 times with Behm defeating Sanders for the 57-kilogram spot on the 1969 World Championship team.
Brandon Eggum (one medal)
2001 Worlds (MFS): silver at 187.25 pounds
The United States was scheduled to host the 2001 World Championships in New York City — then 9/11 happened. The 2001 Worlds were postponed and eventually moved to Sofia, Bulgaria. Two wrestlers with college eligibility made the 2001 World team that year: Stephen Abas and Cael Sanderson. Abas opted to compete; Sanderson opted not to compete.  Brandon Eggum — Sanderson’s replacement — took advantage of his lone opportunity. …
Matt Ghaffari (four medals)
1991 Worlds (GR): silver at 286 pounds
1995 Worlds (GR): bronze at 286 pounds
1996 Olympics (GR): silver at 286 pounds
1998 Worlds (GR): silver at 286 pounds
The United States has a tradition of producing high-level Greco-Roman wrestlers in the super heavyweight division. Ghaffari is the founding father of that tradition — even though his successors — Rulon Gardner and Dremiel Byers — get recognized more often. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1599793374486&twSessionId=hsvsfpclqf&postId=866430135&mc_cid=27cd8af936&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – Nate Engel: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Nate Engel. The first-year Oregon State assistant shares his thoughts on his wrestling hero: Dennis Hall.  These are Engel’s thoughts on his wrestling hero:
“If I had to say a wrestling hero it would be Dennis Hall. There are so many reasons, but it was just the way he was able to train and do things his way — and how strong his mind was. Then he turned it into coaching. 
“He coached me when I went to Northern Michigan in 2009-10 — right after Ivan (Ivanov) left. He was up there for a year and a half, but I would … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1599845881301&twSessionId=iuqinvsnpv&postId=866436135&mc_cid=aa70f844b7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

9} – Jed Smith is taking strength and conditioning to the fringe
Who is the greatest wrestler of all-time?
John Smith? Jordan Burroughs? Sergei Beloglazov? Arsen Fadzaev? Alexander Karelin?
How about Milo of Croton — a six-time Olympic champion (540 BC – 520 BC) from Italy who is the father of modern strength and conditioning?
Legend has it that Milo would carry a baby calf for strength training. As the calf grew, so did Milo’s strength.
Jed Smith, the head strength and conditioning coach at the University of Northern Iowa, is a modern-day Milo. He is all about progressive overload training — just like Milo was 2500 years ago. The difference is Smith has science and a method to his madness. Although Milo’s methods seem primitive, Smith insists that performance is about adapting basic principles in an optimal way. 
His latest book — ‘Fringe Methodologies In High Performance and Health’ — explores the best ways for an athlete to achieve his or her highest level. … rest of story at _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1599845881301&twSessionId=iuqinvsnpv&postId=866434135&mc_cid=aa70f844b7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – .Where Are They Now: Nick Gallo, Wrestling
Recruited out of Deer Park High School in Deer Park, New York, Nick Gallo joined the Hofstra wrestling team and had incredible success. Gallo posted a 104-14 record over his four years at Hofstra, culminating in 1977 when he won the NCAA title at the 126-pound weight class. He was also named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the 1977 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and earned All-America honors. Gallo also competed internationally during and after graduating from Hofstra in 1978, earning a spot on the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team as an alternate and then winning a silver medal at the 1980 Wrestling World Cup while helping the team to a gold medal. Gallo returned to Hofstra as head coach of the wrestling program in 1979, compiling a 34-19 record while producing nine conference champions and 10 NCAA qualifiers during his three-year tenure. Because of his accomplishments in wrestling, and because of his continued support and promotion of collegiate and international wrestling, Gallo received the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. Gallo was among the inaugural group inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006, and in 2009 he was honored by Hofstra University by having a singlet with his name hung from the rafters of the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Center. Gallo has worked as a consultant for Asics for many years, .. rest of story at _{https://gohofstra.com/news/2020/9/10/where-are-they-now-nick-gallo-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=27cd8af936&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

October 17, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

NCAA awards future sites for national tournament

The NCAA on Wednesday unveiled future sites for its wrestling championships and college wrestling’s showcase event is circling back to three familiar places and one new stop. 
For the first time, Tulsa will play the role of the host city of the NCAA Championships in 2023 before Kansas City (2024), Philadelphia (2025) and Cleveland (2026) welcome the tournament back. 
The NCAA Championships went to Kansas City for the first time in 2003 and Philadelphia in 2011, while Cleveland played host in 1998 and 2018. 
The Division II NCAA Championships are headed to Cedar Rapids (2023), Wichita (2024), Indianapolis (2025) and Sioux Falls (2026), while Roanoke (2023), LaCrosse (2024), Providence (2025) and Cedar Rapids (2026) will host the D3 Championships. … Article from _{https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?postId=870485135&utm_source=Marketing+Cloud&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TW+Newsletter}

October 16, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

College Recruits & Transfers # 7

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A round up of stories about recruits or transfers to a new program from across the nation is included here. From the west coast (#2 & #3) to the east coast in Virginia (#5), New Jersey (#6), Pennsylvania (#4) and New York (#10). More wrestling news from the wide open northern plains of Montana (#2) and Minnesota (#1) to the southern plains in Texas and Oklahoma (#6). Even more from the central – midwest states of Indiana (#4), Ohio (#7), Kentucky (#8) and Illinois (#9) are included.
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1 } – Osborn Announces Recruiting Class
MOORHEAD (9/08/20)—Head coach Quincy Osborn released his recruiting class on Tuesday as the team prepares for the 2021 season.
“This is the largest and most geographically diverse recruiting class we have assembled in my time at Concordia,” Osborn said. “This group has a lot of high character guys who come to campus having excellent accolades on the mat and in the classroom.”
The incoming group of 15 student/athletes boasts wrestlers from nine different states. The geographical breakdown of the recruiting class includes Minnesota, North Dakota, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Texas and Washington. The incoming class also features a Division I transfer, a pair of state champions, four wrestlers who competed in a state championship match, nine state place winners and 14 state qualifiers.  
“I am excited to see how all this class of wrestlers will continue to develop at the college level,” Osborn added. … rest of story and details at _{https://concordiamn.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20200908m44ffd?mc_cid=d4c11c167e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – ‘It means everything:’ Missoula Big Sky’s Hunter Meinzen commits to Oregon State wrestling
MISSOULA — From state placer, to state champion, to NCAA Division I wrestler. Welcome to Hunter Meinzen’s world. The Missoula Big Sky senior made his commitment to continue his wrestling career at Oregon State back in July. That decision came before Meinzen, one of the most decorated wrestlers in Montana, even began his highly anticipated senior season. It’s just one more achievement by an athlete who has plenty of goals and a bright future in the sport. “Ever since I was little, I’ve always dreamed about going and wrestling in college and even going beyond college and wrestling on the world level,” Meinzen told MTN Sports during football practice last week. Meinzen is a two-time reigning state wrestling champion, … rest of story at _{https://www.montanasports.com/high-school-sports/wrestling/it-means-everything-missoula-big-skys-hunter-meinzen-commits-to-oregon-state-wrestling?mc_cid=aa5954ac13&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

3 } – Long-time bond drives BHS wrestler Lucio to commit to Cal. State-Bakersfield
Whenever he visited the home of Efren Ceballos, Cade Lucio hoped he was getting a glimpse into his own future. For much of his early life, it wasn’t uncommon to find Lucio spending his free time at the home of Ceballos, whose wife Melissa is lifelong friends with Cade’s mother Natalee. While the adults would sit and talk, young Cade was free to walk around the premises, where he eventually found a room that caught his eye. The room in question, Ceballos’ garage, contained numerous trophies and medals he’d earned in a decorated wrestling career. A three-time state qualifier at Manteca High School, Ceballos became one of the most accomplished wrestlers to compete at Cal State Bakersfield, winning 114 matches, seventh most in school history, and earning All-American honors at 125 pounds in 2004. … rest of story at _{https://www.bakersfield.com/sports/bvarsity/long-time-bond-drives-bhs-wrestler-lucio-to-commit-to-csub/article_ffdfdfc4-f779-11ea-a632-e3ac0c9024d7.html?mc_cid=451344eca7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – Meet Matt Lee, Nittany Lion Incoming Wrestler!
Evansville native joins brothers Joe and Nick in Happy Valley!
With the new year upon us, let’s take a second to check in with incoming wrestler Matt Lee, an incoming freshman from Evansville, Ind.  Lee joins brothers Joe and Nick as a member of  head coach Cael Sanderson‘s Nittany Lion wrestlers.
Q: Welcome to Happy Valley! What were the main reasons you chose Penn State and this program?
The coaching staff and the culture in the wrestling room is the best in the world. It also doesn’t hurt that Penn State has some of the best academic programs in the country.
Q: With the disruption that occurred nationally from the NCAA’s reaction to a virus, how have you been able to interact with your new Nittany Lion teammates prior to coming to Penn State this Summer/Fall?
I have been living in State College for a while, so I’ve been able to wrestle with the NLWC, which many past and present team members are a part of.
Q: What are you most excited about doing when you get on campus as an official member of the Penn State family?
Creating a stronger bond with my teammates and coaches, … rest of story at _{https://gopsusports.com/news/2020/9/16/wrestling-meet-matt-lee-nittany-lion-incoming-wrestler.aspx?mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – The Noke Wrestling News Podcast – Episode 3 (Meet the Freshmen)
Welcome to the latest project from The Open Mat. We have teamed up with the newly formed Roanoke College wrestling program to bring you Noke Wrestling News. Roanoke College is a Division III school in southwestern Virginia. This podcast will bring you up to date on all of the news and happenings surrounding this team in its initial season.
In episode three we are joined by three members of the first class of student-athletes to wrestle for Roanoke College, Ryan Foutz, Chandler Jordan, and Jackson Shumate. The three tell us about why they chose Roanoke and how life has been for freshmen during this unusual time. Coach Nate Yetzer also talks recruiting, … rest of story at _{https://news.theopenmat.com/podcasts/noke-wrestling-news/the-noke-wrestling-news-podcast-episode-3-meet-the-freshmen/78918?mc_cid=c6a292a4f2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – Ferrari Headlines OSU’s Top Ranked Recruiting Class
STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State wrestling program and coach John Smith brought in the nation’s top recruiting class in 2020, with multiple top-50 recruits and several state champions included. Headlining the class is the nation’s former No. 1 overall recruit AJ Ferrari Jr. Ferrari was born in Dallas, Texas, on July 24, 2001 to parents Adriana and AJ Ferrari Sr. He began his career at just four years old and said his dad wanted him to be able to protect himself, so he started taking jiu-jitsu classes.
 “To be honest, I started with jiu-jitsu and it was a little bit less attacking, more defensive,” Ferrari said. “After that, my dad put me into wrestling in Plano (Texas) and I just took off, I loved it.”
 Ferrari attended Blair Academy and Bergen Catholic high schools in New Jersey and posted an incredible 96-1 record before an injury derailed his senior season. … rest of story at _{https://okstate.com/news/2020/9/21/wrestling-ferrari-headlines-osus-top-ranked-recruiting-class.aspx?mc_cid=1ea990827d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – Robinson Cleared to Compete Immediately
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Head coach Josh Moore of the Cleveland State University wrestling team announced Friday that redshirt sophomore Marcus Robinson has been cleared to compete in the upcoming 2020-21 season. 
Robinson, who transferred during the offseason from fellow Mid-American Conference member Buffalo, is now eligible to represent the Vikings in all competition formats immediately. He has three years of eligibility remaining. Robinson spent his first two collegiate seasons at Buffalo and showed promise despite his youth. He placed seventh at 141 pounds at the 2020 MAC Championships, tallying three wins at the event despite entering unseeded. He was the highest placing freshman or sophomore in his weight class last season. 
Robinson went 18-12 during the 2019-20 season, including a mark of 6-4 in MAC dual action. He had redshirted in his first season with the Bulls and racked up 22 wins while competing unattached.  Robinson was a four-time state champion for Arkansas City High School, … rest of story at _{https://csuvikings.prestosports.com/sports/m-wrestl/2020-21/releases/20200918i9cobg?mc_cid=f6e465b58d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – TRANSFER TUESDAY: JUSTAN RIVERA
Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots men’s wrestling team works just as hard in the off-season as they do in championship season. Signing Justan Rivera was the highlight of the summer for Jordan Countryman and his program. A red-shirt senior transfer from Notre Dame College (OH), Rivera comes to Cumberlands with an illustrious and well-decorated history making appearances at three NCAA DII National Tournaments.
Although initially unaware of the elite program, Rivera soon found it to be the perfect place to spend his final season. “As soon as I met the team and the coaches, I fell in love with the program. They are one of the most connected teams I have ever been a part of and the coaching staff is immensely talented.”
As a collegiate athlete, Rivera continued his success making several appearances at the NCAA DII Super Regionals and National Championships. Starting his career during the 2015-16 season, Rivera made his first trip to the DII Super Regional where he finished in third. … rest of story at _{https://cumberlandspatriots.com/news/2020/9/22/mens-wrestling-transfer-tuesday-justan-rivera.aspx?mc_cid=e10bcd29f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

9} – Kisgen Signs 17 to 2020-21 Season Roster
(LEBANON, Ill. – Sept. 22) – McKendree University men’s wrestling head coach James Kisgen announces the addition of 17 student-athletes to the men’s wrestling roster for the upcoming 2020-21 season.
Jordan Alcala (Yakima, WA/A.C. Davis)
Alcala was a 2018 Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) State Qualifier and also wrestled for Empire Wrestling Club.
Wes Bockert (Fairbanks, AL/Lathrop)
Held the school record for 164 takedowns for the Malamutes of Lathrop High School. Bockert recorded 141 wins in his four-year career and was a two-time State Champion.
Rasheek Bonds (Goshen, IN/Goshen)
Recorded over 100 wins for the Redhawks of Goshen High School.
Christian Cartright (Branson, MO/Branson)
Cartright posted an overall 97-34 record in his career with the Pirates of Branson High School. … rest of story at _{https://mckbearcats.com/news/2020/9/22/mens-wrestling-kisgen-signs-17-to-2020-21-season-roster.aspx?mc_cid=e10bcd29f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – Wrestling Announces Incoming Class for 2020-21 Season
ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell wrestling is set to welcome nine newcomers in advance of the 2020-21 season. This incoming class joins the Big Red with 10 state championships, five Beast of the East championships, three Fargo titles, two FloNationals titles, a Super 32 championship and a Walsh Ironman championship. Two members of the incoming class have already represented the United State at the world level and five members of the class ranked in the top 100 recruits on FloWrestling’s Big Board.
Benny Baker, Jacob Cardenas, Lewis Fernandes, Chris Foca, Luke Gorg, Julian Ramirez, Josh Saunders, Kaleb Williams and Jacob Yawn make up the future graduating class of 2024.
Head Coach Rob Koll and his staff enter 2020-21, not just hoping for a season, but hoping to reclaim the Ivy League championship after it was won by someone other than the Big Red for the first time in 18 years last season. … rest of story at _{https://cornellbigred.com/news/2020/9/23/wrestling-announces-incoming-class-for-2020-21-season.aspx?mc_cid=9754f989b3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

October 15, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

International Wrestling News – # 10

TDR Editor’s Notes ; News from the past month in International wrestling. San Marino will have their first Olympic wrestler, (#3), yet the rest of the news is much sadder with the cancelation of this year’s U23 Worlds (#10), and the affect on Olympic sports by Stanford University’s cuts to their sports teams. (#1) Much more upsetting and final was Iran’s decision and execution as discussed in articles (#4-#9). Moew uplifting is a look at the history and rules of Greco-Roman style of wrestling (#2).
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1 } – Stanford sports cuts could mean big loss for US Olympic team
If all the athletes from Stanford had been their own country, they would have tied with South Korea for 11th place in the medal standings at the 2016 Olympics. It’s an eye-opening statistic that has been made more jarring because of the recent decision by Stanford — a university renowned for fielding the most extensive college sports program in the country — to remove nine Olympic sports from its 36-team varsity program in an attempt to control a rapidly growing budget deficit in the athletic department. Two former Stanford athletes who said they felt blindsided by the decision are spearheading a protest against a move that will affect not only the 240 athletes currently on the rosters when the teams are dissolved after this school year, but will have effects that stretch well beyond that, both at other colleges and in the Olympic world. … rest of story at _{https://www.atholdailynews.com/Stanford-sports-cuts-could-mean-big-loss-35876960?mc_cid=7d6595523f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

2 } – What is Greco Roman wrestling: From rules to Olympic history
Greco Roman wrestling is one of the oldest sports disciplines to feature at the Olympics Games.
One of the nine original sports to feature at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, the first modern Olympic Games, Greco Roman wrestling holds a special place in Olympic history. The Greco Roman style of wrestling has been a regular fixture in the Games since the 1908 Olympics, pre-dating it’s cousin, freestyle wrestling, which secured a regular spot in the Games programme at Antwerp 1920.

Here’s everything you need to know about Greco Roman wrestling.
Greco Roman wrestling rules and scoring
Like most amateur wrestling formats in the world, the core objective of Greco Roman wrestling is to either pin both of the opponent’s shoulders to the mat to win the match or accumulate more points at the end of a designated time-frame to secure victory.
A match or bout consists of two three-minute halves or periods separated by a 30-second break. Wrestlers can score points by executing holds, locks, throws or other legal takedowns.
The points awarded for moves and holds depend on the respective difficulty levels of their execution. From a single move, a maximum of five points can be scored through a grand amplitude throw that ends in a ‘danger position’ (exposing the opponent’s back to the mat for several seconds). The move largely involves picking up and throwing the opponent to the ground and controlling him. … rest of story at _{https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stories/features/detail/what-how-greco-roman-wrestling-style-rules-scoring-techniques-olympics/?mc_cid=7d6595523f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

3 } – UWW LIVE: Myles Amine, San Marino’s First-Ever Olympian
Myles AMINE became San Marino’s first-ever Olympic qualifier in wrestling when he reached the semifinals of the 2019 World Championships at 86kg in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. 
The 23-year-old Amine had a strong performance at the European Championships this past February, claiming a silver medal at 86kg. He was a bronze medalist at the 2019 European Games.
Amine joined Eric Olanowski to talk about securing his nation’s first Olympic berth and the weight that comes along with that. He also talked about the improvements he’s made over the last year that helped him win a European silver medal and what his goals are heading into the Tokyo Olympic Games. … rest of story at _{https://unitedworldwrestling.org/article/uww-live-myles-amine-san-marinos-first-ever-olympian?mc_cid=0b16b413d6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

4 } – Iran: Wrestling champion Navid Afkari feared at risk of imminent secret execution
11 September 2020, 16:45 UTC
The Iranian authorities must immediately reveal the fate and whereabouts of Navid Afkari, a wrestling champion at imminent risk of being executed in secret, Amnesty International said today, while calling on the international community, including UN human rights bodies and EU member states to urgently intervene.
According to recent information obtained by the organization, Navid Afkari made a short phone call to his family on 6 September and was able to say that he was being held in a wing of Adelabad prison in the city of Shiraz that has high security and harsh conditions, before the call was cut off. … rest of story at _{https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/09/iran-wrestling-champion-navid-afkari-feared-at-risk-of-imminent-secret-execution/?mc_cid=aa70f844b7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

5 } – Tehran is Defiant in the Face of Pressure over Wrestler’s Death Sentence
By Pooya Stone
On Thursday, Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee, expressed “extreme concern” over the case of Navid Afkari. Iran’s Supreme Court upheld two death sentences for this champion wrestler last week, ostensibly on charges that he had killed a security guard. But Afkari alleges that he and two brothers were tortured in detention and pressured to issue false confessions. His lawyer and other advocates maintain that the actual basis for his death sentences was his participation in anti-government protests in August 2018, during a period that the Iranian Resistance leader Maryam Rajavi referred to as a “year full of uprisings.”  Bach’s comments on this case came two days after the World Player’s Association issued a statement calling Afkari’s pending execution a “horrific act” that would contradict “the humanitarian values that underpin sport.”  The statement also expressed confidence in Afkari’s innocence and noted that it appeared as if he had been “unjustly targeted by the Iranian authorities who want to make an example out of a popular, high-profile athlete and intimidate others who might dare exercise their human right to participate in a peaceful protest.”  A similar sentiment was expressed the previous week by 48 Iranian professional athletes who signed a statement in support of their colleague and his brothers, Vahid and Habib, who have been sentenced to 54 and 27 years in prison, respectively. Their open letter was addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General,  … rest of story at _{https://www.iranfocus.com/en/human-rights/44502-tehran-is-defiant-in-the-face-of-pressure-over-wrestlers-death-sentence/?mc_cid=aa70f844b7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

6 } – Global Athlete demand IOC and UWW expel Iran following execution of wrestler Afkari
Global Athlete has demanded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United World Wrestling (UWW) expel Iran following the execution of wrestling champion Navid Afkari.
Iranian state media reported that Afkari was executed yesterday, despite the case attracting global attention and leading to the likes of United States President Donald Trump pleading for clemency. 
The 27-year-old had been given two death sentences for allegedly stabbing a security guard to death and his involvement in demonstrations against the country’s regime in 2018. Afkari had claimed he was tortured into making a false confession and human rights groups and activists believe he was unjustly targeted by the Iranian authorities to intimidate others who might choose to participate in peaceful protests.
The IOC and UWW claimed they were in “constant contact” with the Iranian National Olympic Committee and the Iranian Wrestling Federation to “facilitate a solution”, but were ultimately unsuccessful. Since the execution, the IOC and UWW described the news as “very sad” and “devastating”, but Global Athlete has urged the organisations to take further action. … rest of story at _{https://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php/articles/1098369/global-athlete-demand-iran-sanctions?mc_cid=26de816f3c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

7 } – UWW Statement on the Execution of Navid Afkari 
CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (September 12) — United World Wrestling has learned that the scheduled execution of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari took place this morning in Iran. It is deeply upsetting that the pleas of athletes from around the world and all the behind the scene work of United World Wrestling and the National Iranian Wrestling Federation, the IOC together with the NOC of Iran did not achieve our goal. The news is devastating and the entire wrestling community mourns his death.  Our thoughts are with the family and the friends of Navid Afkari. … story at _{https://unitedworldwrestling.org/article/uww-statement-execution-navid-afkari?mc_cid=aa5954ac13&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

8 } – Iran summons German Ambassador over tweets criticising execution of wrestling champion Afkari
Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it has summoned the German Ambassador to Tehran to strongly condemn “interference in Iran’s internal affairs”, following tweets criticising the execution of wrestling champion Navid Afkari.
Iranian state media reported that Afkari was executed on Saturday (September 12), despite the case attracting global attention.
Afkari had been given two death sentences for allegedly stabbing a security guard to death and his involvement in demonstrations against the country’s regime in 2018. Afkari had claimed he was tortured into making a false confession.
Human rights groups and activists believe he was unjustly targeted by the Iranian authorities to intimidate others who might choose to participate in peaceful protests. The German Embassy condemned Afkari’s killing on Twitter yesterday. … rest of story at _{https://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php/articles/1098432/iran-germany-afkari-execution-criticism?mc_cid=aa5954ac13&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

9} – .Iran’s Zarif says wrestler Afkari executed for murder, not role in unrest
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari was executed earlier this month for murder, the country’s foreign minister said on Monday, rejecting assertions by rights activists that the death sentence arose from his involvement in street protests. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was speaking in a virtual address to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Iran’s hardline judiciary said last week that Afkari, 27, a national champion Greco-Roman wrestler, was executed for murder. But his family and rights groups said he was tortured into making a false confession and his attorney said there was no proof of his guilt. .. rest of story at _{https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-wrestler-zarif/irans-zarif-says-wrestler-afkari-executed-for-murder-not-role-in-unrest-idUSKCN26C2H7?mc_cid=1ea990827d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

10 } – UWW Executive Committee Agrees to Cancel U23 World Championships
CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 15) — The United World Wrestling executive committee agreed Monday to cancel the U23 Wrestling World Championships originally scheduled for late October in Tampere, Finland.  The executive committee also agreed to keep the international tournaments scheduled on the calendar for November and December, but organizers must implement sanitary conditions that protect the health of all participants. The UWW-provided protocols will be subject to review.
No decision was made about the Senior and Junior Worlds scheduled for Belgrade in mid-December. … rest of story at _{https://unitedworldwrestling.org/article/uww-executive-committee-agrees-cancel-u23-world-championships?mc_cid=451344eca7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}

October 14, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment